Have you ever fantasized of sticking a pen-drive like device to a display monitor and turn it into a full fledged computer? If yes, your fantasies are about to come true courtesy Google and Asus.
The Asus Chromebit is what Google calls ‘Computer on a Stick’. The device is capable of turning any display into a PC by simply plugging into it. Google further elaborates in a blog post that the device will be available for under $100 (Rs. 6200 approx). If this is indeed true, then the possibilities are endless with the device finding its use in schools, businesses and other areas. The device can also act as an upgrade over existing desktops. Like all Google devices, the Chromebit will run Chrome OS. More details are currently unknown except that the device will be available from mid-year.
Along with releasing information on the Asus Chromebit, Google also revealed three new Chromebooks: Haier Chromebook 11, Hisense Chromebook and the Asus Chromebook Flip. All these Chromebooks are fast, lightweight, have long-life batteries and come at an affordable price tag. So far, Google has produced Chrome devices with other manufacturers including Acer, Lenovo, Dell and LG. Asus and Google had earlier collaborated to produce the hugely popular Nexus 5.
Google is now aggressively pushing its Chrome OS and Chromebook range of devices as low cost alternatives to Microsoft Windows. Google has positioned Chrome devices in such a way that it targets the whole market and says that “there is a Chromebook for everyone”. However, people still have doubts regarding Chrome OS, the chief being that the devices need to be connected to the internet all the time.
