Archive for the ‘Netbook World Summit’ tag
Good OS and Phoenix Technologies looking to speed up netbooks
PC World reports some interesting news coming out of the first ever Netbook World Summit being held in Paris today. Linux distributor Good OS and BIOS developer Phoenix Technologies both have plans on improving the performance of netbook systems – albeit in slightly different ways.
First off, Good OS talked up their upcoming “Cloud” product which allows users to perform most of their “rich client applications from within the browser.” According to Good OS Founder and CEO David Liu, the upcoming Cloud system “combines a compressed Linux kernel with a browser modified to play media files, make phone calls and set up the computer’s network connection.”
You’ll be able to access functions, applications through a line of icons at the bottom of the browser window – somewhat like the Mac OS X Dock. Browser tabs make it easy for user’s to differentiate different tasks or applications. Netbook manufacturers can also have the option of loading up a real OS on their netbook – such as Linux or Windows.
Features of Cloud include:
- Web browser with Icon Dock Inside
- Network Manager
- Power Button
- Boot to Window XP/Vista or Linux OS
- Battery Life Indicator
- Volume Controls
- My Files & Viewers
Liu mentioned that Gigabyte plans on showing off a Tablet styled netbook at CES 2009 running both Cloud and Windows XP.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Technologies is looking to both decrease the time it takes for you to do something useful on your netbook and improve overall battery life on the system.
Through the use of its HyperSpace virtualization software, the company is looking to provide netbook users a way to interact with their netbook while it boots up an OS like Windows or Linux. For Phoenix, it’s all about instant-on capabilities for the netbook. You’ll be able to run applications such as browsers, media players, VoIP, and email within 10 to 15 seconds of turning on your netbook while Windows continues to boot in the background.
On the power efficiency route, Phoenix is looking at how to apply more aggressive power management techniques including ways to shut down unused components that could potentially provide upwards to an hour of extra battery life while users are surfing the web. Like Good OS, Phoenix plans on showing off their new software at CES 2009 (which we’ll be at so look out for coverage on this).
You can read more about this at PC World.com
