First Chrome OS Laptop Has No Caps Lock Key
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CREDIT: Google |
Google officially unveiled the first laptop that will run the company's ultra lightweight operating system, Chrome OS, and it looks sleek. But it's still missing one thing that every other computer has: a Caps Lock key.
"We expect this will improve the quality of comments across the Web," a Google rep said.
Google is making a bit of a statement about the nature of Internet commenters, who are overly prone to "shout" in comments by leaving Caps Lock on. Google hopes that by eliminating the Caps Lock key, users will be more judicious about when they use all-caps because they'll have to hold down the Shift key when they type.
For those who simply can't live without a Caps Lock, Google has said it will still be possible to toggle the "Search" key (which replaced Caps Lock) to function as a Caps Lock.
The Chrome OS laptop itself, dubbed the Cr-48, is actually a very attractive device. It's intended mostly to be used by developers and testers, so it won't be getting a public release. That means it can remain sleek and black with no branding to mar it.
The complete specs list hasn't been released, but what we know so far is encouraging. The Cr-48 will include a 12-inch screen, oversized clickpad, 3G, WiFi, a Webcam, Flash storage and 8 hours of "active battery life. Google says it has enough power to last 7 days on standby mode.
Google has reportedly ordered 60,000 Cr-48 laptops to give to testers over the coming months. While it won't be for sale, Acer and Samsung have both said they will produce retail Chrome OS laptops in mid-2011.
