Without further ado, firstly let me explain that this post is going to be an outlay on some of the tech releases that have been, or will be unleashed on the world this year; it looks like they will be becoming big fixtures on the scene, at least for the next few years.
Google is definitely leading the charge, and with NexusOne, Buzz, Wave, Universal Translator, and Chrome OS, I think Google is still very much in the game, contrary to what detractors say of it being slowly left behind. Not to be outdone, Apple and Microsoft also came up with releases of their own. So let’s look at 5 of these:
Google Chrome Operating System
Google unveiled the Chrome Operating System in July 2009, a secure, easy, and faster operating system targeting people who use computers primarily for web browsing. The project was open-sourced for developers in November last year as “Chromium OS” for them to engage in the development of this new operating system. This essentially different model of computing is presently in its “Alpha” working state and not yet ready for consumers.
Like traditional operating systems, Google Chrome OS has no desktop applications, presenting a sleek and minimal interface. The Alpha release shows an interface merely comprising a launch button at the top corner of the screen that initiates an application page. Most of the user applications reside in the browser over the internet; as a consequence, users are set free from the hassle of managing, installing or updating programs. Moreover, as your desktop has no files or applications, this simply implies that no virus or malware can infect your computer making the user computing experience that much more secure.
The most distinguishing feature of Chrome OS is its speed. Chrome device connects users to the internet almost instantly as the device is booted, without loading unnecessary programs. Chrome OS is intended to run on 86x & ARM chips. Currently, an assiduous team of engineers are working on the OEMs to launch this lightweight operating system on netbooks in the second half of 2010.
Nexus One
Released in the US this January, Google’s smartphone is somewhat of a novelty with its sleek design, ultra-thinness of 11.5 mm and curved edges with a 480 x 800 OLED capacity latest multi-touch screen allowing users to be more virtuosic. With a 5 megapixel autofocus camera from 6cm to infinity, LED flash and 2X digital Zoom aided with low light feature, the new Nexus phone is as light as 130 grams, the equivalent of holding 10 ordinary pencils at a time.
Nexus features dual microphones for noise cancellation, a voice keyboard and the ability to transcribe voice to text in any text field on the phone. The phone also charges when it is connected to a computer’s USB port or when inserted in an optional desktop or car dock. Charging via the car charger makes Nexus One a navigation device that can provide users with directions for traveling.
The graphical features of Nexus are cool. The wallpapers are interactive, and respond to the user’s touch. Other features include 3D scrolling of apps, and a new way of checking out photographs utilizing Cooliris technology. This stunning Android handset is much better than any other Android handset so far. Moreover, as Android is open source, developers have freedom of apps creation ultimately benefiting the users. Users can also view pictures in their Picasa web album by automatic synchronization of Nexus with Picasa. Nexus One is sold in the unlocked GSM version, making it effortlessly accessible from any online store from Google. It’s being introduced throughout the world in stages; good thing is the price won’t blow a big hole in most my pocket….
Google Buzz
Announced on February 9th this year, Google Buzz presents the clever and handy way to share, at least from Google’s perspective. Since the past couple of years, Google have been profoundly voicing their idea of a “social web” to facilitate social networks and sharing, and Buzz is yet another social feature in a crowded field that allows users to connect more intimately, follow each other, and share things of mutual interest.
The most defining feature of Google Buzz is its integration with Gmail, this implies that users are set free from the intricacies of setting up a new contact book from scratch but it also provides the exposure Google wants out of Buzz.
Though Buzz is another milestone in socializing web users, many users have criticized its friendly nature towards strangers. The privacy concerns about this new application have been heavily debated. This meant Buzz has undergone revisions for as many as 3 times after its release, since the beginning of this year.
Apple iPhone 4G
Its design inspired by the MacBook Air, the iPhone 4G is anything but a rumor. The concept of Apple’s iPhone 4G is to house anything conceivable and imaginable for a phone (and more), and perhaps iPhone 4G aims at offering every feature that the current iPhone models are deprived of, like a simple copy-paste facility.
Initial pictures of the Apple’s 4G phone showed a OLED touch screen on a fashionable titanium and glass casing with a front camera for iChat. Other features include 3.2 Megapixel Camera Video, Removable Battery, 32 Gb memory, and a superior processor for intelligent multi-tasking. Ultimately, the iPhone 4G can be viewed as an all-in-one multimedia device, and no longer a phone.
This promising device is rumored to have a very high speed internet connection. The iPhone 4G is expected as early as May this year, but don’t hold your breath. Apple targeted May as they expected Google to launch Nexus One around the same time world-wide; however let us all just keep our hands in our pockets for the time being 🙂
By the way, check out this Unofficial Guide to the iPhone.
Microsoft Office 2010
Microsoft planned to officially launch Microsoft office 2010 in May 2010, declaring that Office 2010 is all set for mass consumers and business community. On March 6th, (this year) Microsoft also announced a program offering free upgrade for licensed customers of Office 2007, who purchase this version between March and September this year.
We had a preview earlier when Microsoft publicly released a Microsoft Office 2010 beta in late 2009. The beta version had many added features, primarily focusing on increased usability. Among these features, the prominent one is a social networking connector. This connector will enable users to gather Windows Live and other social networking feeds into Outlook.
Microsoft Office seems to emphasize on collaboration technologies for co-authoring documents. Applications like MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint and MS OneNote support co-authoring in one way or another. The beta version also has an in-built capability for businesses to test the browser-based Office Web Apps within their enterprises. The beta version includes editing in Word and OneNote Web app.
Other notable features include a smooth UI. The office beta version presents a backstage area which contains all the functions of the File menu showing a list of file based actions such as Save, Open, New, Print and Share. To add, Microsoft is also rumored to introduce IE9 by late this year. All in, MS Office 2010 makes it to the list of most anticipated releases of 2010…