As of April 26, 2010, the Easy Peasy 1.6 has been available for download, and it features:

• A brand new boot system and artwork (system boots 25% faster)
• A new and improved interface
• Integration with social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, among others
• An updated likewise-open package for Linux server support and Active Directory authentication
• A new open source driver for nVidia
• Better support for nVidia drivers
• Upgrades for all packages

Naturally, installation is a piece of cake (with a USB pen drive), and it’s free. The 25% faster boot speed is a definite plus. It’s compatible with a variety of netbooks. True to its name, it’s very easy to use. Even if you’re switching from Windows for the first time, you’ll find everything you need.

The desktop features a top bar, as well as two outside columns for menus and a wide center column that shows you what has been selected. The menu displays categories that are similar to those found on Ubuntu, but with the added bonus of some you won’t find there. Some of the most useful applications included are Firefox, Picasa, and Skype.

It does use proprietary software, rather than open source alternatives, so if you’re not big on using proprietary software, the Easy Peasy might not be the best choice for you.

In general, the Easy Peasy has met with the approval of most netbook users, and it won’t disappoint you as long as you take it for what it is, and keep in mind what it’s not. It’s not in any way a desktop version of Linux. But it is a great Ubuntu alternative for netbooks, one that will definitely make your web browsing experience more than enjoyable.

The Jolicloud, which recently launched their first official release (pre-release builds have been available for some time now), makes use of Debian and Ubuntu technology, but it is being modified to fit the specifications of netbook computers. It depends on Chromium-based packages to run web apps, giving it much of the same functionality of Google’s eventually to be released Chromium OS.

Those who seek a fast booting OS will be on cloud nine. Jolicloud will not only boot quickly, but will also install with no complications. It is compatible with 98% of the netbooks available in the market.

Jolicloud’s goal is to provide an operating system that has been wholly optimized for netbooks. In other words, if you want fast access to the Internet, and none of the hassle, this is the OS for your netbook.

It features a really cool application manager where you’ll find tons of free apps. With only a click you can install any of your personal favorites, like Skype, VLC, or Google Chrome. Installing and removing apps is incredibly easy mainly due to a simple, clean interface. Some of the apps available are actually sites like Facebook, Forex Guide or Gmail, which clearly illustrates the intention of Jolicloud’s developers. They want to make sure you have everything you need at your fingertips. The way people use computers today has been their main source of inspiration.

Suggested Specs

Screen

• 7″, 9″, 10″ and more
• Full support of all common netbook resolutions:
  800×480, 1024×600, 1366×768

Processor (CPU)

• Optimized for Intel Atom Diamondville e.g. N270, N280
• Optimized for Intel Atom Silverthorne i.e. Z510, Z520, Z530
• Optimized for Intel Atom Pineview i.e. N450, N470
• Legacy Intel, and AMD processors

Storage

• 4Internal HDD or SSD
• Flash disks i.e. USB keys, memory cards
• External HDD and optical players

Graphics Chipset

• Intel 945GSE with video chipset GMA 950
• Intel US15W with video chipset GMA 500
• Intel GMA 3150
• Nvidia ION chipset
• Legacy ATI, Nvidia chipsets

Network Connectivity

• Wired Network (IEEE 802.3)
• Ethernet 10 Mbit/s
• Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit/s)
• Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbit/s)
• IEEE 802.11a/b/g
• IEEE 802.11n coming soon

Conclusion

So, if you want to get your head into this cloud and give it a try, you can download the Jolicloud Express Pre Final version, here. You can check their site for the list of compatible hardware, but even if yours is not on it, chances are it might work anyway. And Jolicloud is definitely worth trying.

This is the question that the people at Google have asked themselves, and the solution they’ve come up with is the Google Chrome OS. But wait! Isn’t there a web browser with that name? Of course. But the Chrome OS is more than just a browser; it’s an entire operating system.

As the sole operating system for netbooks, Google Chrome OS will allow Internet users to access email, social media sites, blogs, and browse the web, naturally with Google’s own applications, like Gmail and Google Docs. There will be no need to run desktop apps or store information in your computer. It will all be stored “in the cloud”.
This presents numerous advantages for the Internet user. The Chrome OS will be perfect for those who primarily wish to get online fast and want none of the sluggishness of most desktop computers. Another big advantage is that it could effectively give its users a safe, clean, virus-free environment. According to Linus Upson, Google’s Engineering Director, Google is “completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.” A bold promise indeed, and one that is sure to attract many of those who’re in the market for a speedy netbook.

The one main disadvantage is that a netbook that runs on the Chrome OS will depend on an Internet connection to be of any use. However as a trade-off all your data is stored in the cloud, meaning you can access any of your documents from any internet enabled computer just by logging into your Google account in any web browser.

Google Chrome OS will be released in the second half of 2010. Whether it will be a resounding success, or one big fail for Google…well, that remains to be seen. In the mean time you can stop by The Chromium Project and download the newest binaries of Chromium OS, their open source project, and try it out.

Ubuntu is already known for being a fast-booting Linux-based operating system, but its developers have taken it to a whole new level. According to founder Mark Shuttleworth’s most recent blog post, the new “desktop experience codebase” called Unity will give all future versions of Ubuntu greater speed and a fresh new look in terms of desktop configuration. The goal is to give users access to the apps they like to run more often. In Monday’s blog post, Shuttleworth says, “the web is the key, and there may be a few complementary capabilities like media playback, messaging, games, and the ability to connect to local devices like printers and cameras and pluggable media.”

The new Unity interface will feature a panel at the top of the screen and an application dock on the side. These new features will give users quick access to their favorite apps and to easily switch between them. The app panel and dock also take up less space.

Shuttleworth expects this launch will help spread open source software in markets where Microsoft Windows currently prevails. It is expected that the dual boot will encourage users to try Ubuntu, because they’ll have the option to maintain the Windows operating system.

The downside? Ubuntu Light does not allow you to add and remove programs, one of the reasons it can boot so fast. It also lacks file management support.

Ubunto Light is available now to OEMs, and the next step is to implement the Unity interface in the Ubuntu Netbook Edition 10.10, whose launch is expected for October this year. The Light versions of Ubuntu will be available for both netbooks and desktops.

Will Google’s Android succeed in beating RIM in the smartphone race?

Only time will tell, but at least for now, the iPhone is eating its dust.

According to the latest market research conducted by The NPD Group, handsets equipped with Google’s Android operating system have snatched second place in the U.S. market, leaving iPhone behind in third place. The figures for the first quarter of 2010 show that Research in Motion’s BlackBerry holds 36% of the market, the Android phones hold 28%, and the iPhone comes in third with 21%. So, how did the Android OS manage to overtake iPhone?

Above all, the Android’s market growth is attributed to carrier distribution and promotion. Analysts at NPD believe the success of the Android OS is partly due to the recent advertising and marketing efforts carried out by Vodafone and Verizon to back the Android models. On the other hand, AT&T’s exclusivity severely limits iPhone sales. Variety is also one of the causes of the iPhone’s slip into the number three spot. In total, there are 34 handset models equipped with the Android. By contrast, Apple reserves their operating system for their own phones, thus giving consumers very limited options, namely two: the choice between iPhone 3G or 3GS.

Pricing is another factor that comes into play. According to The NPD Group, an average smartphone cost $151 in the first quarter of 2010, approximately half of the $299 consumers have to shell out for an iPhone. According to IDC’s recent research, the leader in the smartphone market is Nokia, with 21.5 million units sold in the first quarter of 2010, 39.3 % of the 54.7 million sold in total. Coming in second is RIM with 10, 6 million units (19.4 %). Apple is third with 8.8 units (16.1 %). HTC with its Android-powered handsets is in fourth place with 2.6 million units sold (4.8 %). And Motorola take the number five spot with 2.3 million units (4.2 %).

Will Google’s Android succeed in beating RIM in the smartphone race? Only time will tell, but at least for now, the iPhone is eating its dust.