Last week, just prior to day one of Google I/O, we noted that some updates in the Chrome OS code and forums indicated that a formal unveiling was likely very close. Sure enough, on day two of I/O, Google unveiled the first Chromebooks, the first shipping products running Chrome OS. But Google also noted that the first orders wouldn’t start until June 15, about a month away. One reason: Chrome OS still needed a tiny bit more work. And an update today brings it very close.
Google has just updated the Chrome OS beta channel to R12, aka Chrome 12. The version, which has been in the dev channel for a couple of weeks, will now be further tested in beta for a couple of weeks before it becomes the first version of Chrome OS to go stable. Expect this to happen slightly before the June 15 date.
Following Google I/O, we got some hands-on time with the first Chromebook, the Samsung Series 5. Sure enough, it was running Chrome OS version 12 (though the dev version). Representatives from Google stated that this would eventually be the build (when complete) that ships with the first Chromebooks.
So what does Chrome OS R12 contain? Well, it’s essentially Chrome 12, the browser (which is also in beta), with a number of Chrome OS-specific features. Those include:
- File browser
- Shiny new look
- Improvements to GSM support
- Verizon activation improvements
- New Flash player
- Feedback link is now under the wrench menu (“Report an issue”)
- 3G connection to the carrier fixes
- Wi-Fi connectivity/Out of the Box fixes
- New trackpad and sensitivity setting adjusted
- Auto update engine and debugging improvements
- Power optimizations
- GTalk video/chat optimizations
- Improved on screen indicators: brightness, network status, update icon
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