Behind Your Business

Dell has unleashed an experimental version of Google's Chromium OS that runs on the PC maker's Inspiron Mini 10v netbook. Chromium, released earlier this month, is Google's open-source version of the Chrome OS based on the Linux kernel and aimed at netbooks.

Though the final product isn't expected to hit the netbook market until next year's holiday shopping season, Google decided to make the source code available to anyone wishing to create their own customized version of the Chromium OS. Taking up the challenge, Doug Anson, Dell's Linux technology strategist, modified the code so the fledgling OS wirelessly accesses the Internet on Dell's Mini 10v.

"Without a network connection, Chromium OS is not very interesting," Anson wrote in a recent blog. "With a network connection, Chromium OS shines."

At Your Own Risk

Chromium OS is a small, optimized operating system whose purpose is to make it extremely simple and easy to browse the web, Anson noted. "Boot time appears quick, too -- about 12 seconds from hitting the power button," Anson wrote.

However, Anson's Chromium OS image file is squarely aimed at avid Linux experimenters, not consumers. "Use this image at your own risk -- it comes to you totally unsupported and very minimally tested," wrote Anson, who previously worked with Canonical to bring the Linux-based Ubuntu interface to Dell's Mini 9 netbook.

Among other things, Anson's 7.5GB USB key image file, which is currently available for download from Dell, does not include a shutdown/restart menu option. "To 'reboot' the image, you have to press the 'power' key on the Mini 10v," Anson wrote.

Open-source developers also can expect to encounter a number of issues along the way. As examples of potential problem areas, Anson cited the software's connection manager and underlying components, which "can easily break or get hung. When in doubt, reboot and give...

It's a sad day over at Michael Arrington's TechCrunch blog. In a posting Monday, Arrington announced that development of the CrunchPad, a 12-inch touchscreen Internet-connected tablet, has officially ended. "It was so close I could taste it," Arrington wrote. "Two weeks ago we were ready to publicly launch the CrunchPad. The device was stable enough for a demo. It went hours without crashing."

But the project "self-destructed," Arrington said, because of "greed, jealousy and miscommunication."

Chandra Rathakrishnan, CEO of TechCrunch's partner on the project, Fusion Garage, informed Arrington in an e-mail that "based on pressure from his shareholders, he had decided to move forward and sell the device directly through Fusion Garage, without our involvement," Arrington reported.

Enter the Lawyers

But Arrington said his company and Fusion Garage worked jointly on developing the prototypes for the device and expenses were shared. "We jointly own the CrunchPad product intellectual property, and we solely own the CrunchPad trademark. So it's legally impossible for them to simply build and sell the device without our agreement," Arrington asserted.

The two companies appear headed to court. An e-mail Rathakrishnan forwarded to Arrington proposes that Fusion Garage has the right to go forward with the project without TechCrunch, although it might consider purchasing rights to the trademark and name: "[W]e would have Arrington assume the role of visionary/evangelist/marketing head and Fusion Garage would acquire the rights to use the CrunchPad brand and name. Personally, I don't think the name is all that important, but you seem to be somewhat attached to the name."

"Without knowing anything about the inside politics here, this story reflects that Fusion Garage thinks they have a successful product on their hands," said Greg Sterling, principal analyst with Sterling Market Research. "They probably either thought TechCrunch's involvement was going to mess it up or they're just being greedy."...

Various reports say Google is close to delivering on its promise to release a beta version of a Mac-based Chrome browser before the end of the year. The initiative, according to Aberdeen Group analyst Andrew Borg, is part of a much bigger strategic play by the search giant.

TechCrunch's MG Siegler reports that a somewhat incomplete version of the browser is in the offering. Siegler says the beta -- which is variously labeled "milestone 4" and Chrome version 4 -- will lack features such as the Bookmark Manager and App Mode. A Google spokesperson refused to provide details beyond reasserting that the company aims to release the Google Chrome for Mac in beta this year.

Siegler's report jibes with Borg's understanding of the browser's status. "It apparently is going to be somewhat of a subset of the full Chrome browser that is used for the Wintel combination," said Borg, who is the senior research analyst for wireless and mobility at Aberdeen. "I think it will not include Gears, for example, and may not have some of the bells and whistles."

Borg added that Google appears to be working to fulfill the end-of-year promise and functionally will no doubt be added over time.

The First Question: Why?

The first question that Borg asks is a simple one: Why? "You may ask why they are doing this. The Mac Safari is certainly fast enough, and Firefox has a strong position on the Mac. Is the Mac large enough to be a target for Google? Yes. Is there more to it than meets the eye? Yes. With Google, there always are more to things than meets the eye."

For Borg, context is important. The development of the Chrome browser for the Mac is running in parallel with the development of the Chrome operating system, which recently was previewed...

AP - A look at economic developments and activity in major stock markets around the world Monday:

President Obama this week is trying to tackle his biggest foe: the economy. On Thursday the President will hold a "jobs summit" at the White House with some of the nation's top CEOs. The goal is to come up with ideas that will help ease the 10.