CloudBook
Encyclopedia
The Cloudbook is an x86 subnotebook
, or Ultra-Mobile PC
developed by Everex
using a VIA
processor, chipset, and NanoBook
reference design. It competes with the ASUS Eee PC
, the OLPC XO-1
and the Classmate PC
. The device is categorized as a netbook
.
reference design, which is also used for Packard Bell
EasyNote XS. Its release was originally planned for January 25, 2008, but Everex pushed the release back citing problems with the version of gOS
it wanted to use. The delay was needed because Everex wanted to rewrite gOS v2 for the CloudBook so it would use GNOME
's window manager
instead of Enlightenment 17
, making it even more compatible with Ubuntu
. The E17's Dock was replaced by the Avant Window Navigator
to approach the same looks and functionality as the older gOS versions.
Cloudbook was expected to be released in the United States of America on February 15, 2008 at Wal-Mart
and ZaReason, but was pushed back to February 21 for Wal-Mart (ZaReason received a part of its shipment). The price of the device was set to US$399 and it comes with one year of limited warranty
with 24/7
toll free technical support
.
) on the upper right side of the computer instead of at the bottom of the keyboard as is common for notebook computers. The design of the Cloudbook is intended so it can be held in one hand while typing, or in two hands when using the mouse-cursor control, with the left thumb controlling the two "mouse buttons", and the right thumb the small trackpad, both mousepad and keys are placed directly under the screen. This design was chosen so the system could even be used when standing and walking around, instead of only when sitting. The CloudBook is sold as an Ultra-Mobile PC
(UMPC) because of this feature, even though it does not have a touch-screen. There are plans to release a version with a touch-screen in the future.
(based on Ubuntu) and application software from Mozilla
, Skype
, Facebook
, faqly, OpenOffice.org
and Google
. Originally gOS came with the Enlightenment
0.17 as the window manager
, but the new CloudBook version V2 "Rocket" will be based on GNOME
. Though the pre-installed operating system is gOS, Everex has released Windows XP hardware drivers, making it more simple to install Microsoft's Windows XP. However, Everex warns that any software outside of the original gOS will not be covered by warranty (though the hardware's warranty will be unaffected).
Subnotebook
A subnotebook is a class of laptop computers that are smaller and lighter than a typical laptop....
, or Ultra-Mobile PC
Ultra-Mobile PC
An ultra-mobile PC is a small form factor version of a pen computer, a class of laptop whose specifications were launched by Microsoft and Intel in spring 2006. Sony had already made a first attempt in this direction in 2004 with its Vaio U series, which was however only sold in Asia...
developed by Everex
Everex
Everex is a manufacturer of desktop and notebook personal computers. It was established in 1983 and headquartered in Fremont, California. The company was founded by Steve Hui, John Lee and Wayne Cheung. In 1988, Everex was the leader in tape backup sales with half the world market...
using a VIA
VIA Technologies
VIA Technologies is a Taiwanese manufacturer of integrated circuits, mainly motherboard chipsets, CPUs, and memory, and is part of the Formosa Plastics Group. It is the world's largest independent manufacturer of motherboard chipsets...
processor, chipset, and NanoBook
NanoBook
The NanoBook is an ultra-mobile PC reference design by VIA Technologies, Inc. It has a clamshell form factor, a 7-inch 800×480 touchscreen display, and a full-size keyboard. It weighs less than 850 g and has a claimed battery life of up to 4.5 hours...
reference design. It competes with the ASUS Eee PC
ASUS Eee PC
The Asus Eee PC is a subnotebook/netbook computer line from ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated, and a part of the Asus Eee product family. At the time of its introduction in late 2007, it was noted for its combination of a light weight, Linux operating system, solid-state drive , and relatively low cost...
, the OLPC XO-1
OLPC XO-1
The XO-1, previously known as the $100 Laptop, Children's Machine, and 2B1, is an inexpensive subnotebook computer intended to be distributed to children in developing countries around the world, to provide them with access to knowledge, and opportunities to "explore, experiment and express...
and the Classmate PC
Classmate PC
The Classmate PC, formerly known as Eduwise, is Intel's entry into the market for low-cost personal computers for children in the developing world. It is in some respects similar to the One Laptop Per Child trade association's Children's Machine , which has a similar target market...
. The device is categorized as a netbook
Netbook
Netbooks are a category of small, lightweight, legacy-free, and inexpensive laptop computers.At their inception in late 2007 as smaller notebooks optimized for low weight and low cost — netbooks omitted certain features , featured smaller screens and keyboards, and offered reduced computing...
.
History
Sales of the cost effective gPC TC2502 Everex desktop left the company with inquiries from customers seeking similar additional Open Source, but mobile platforms. Everex decided to build two systems, a classic laptop, also running gOS v2, called the gBook, and a system based on the VIA NanobookNanoBook
The NanoBook is an ultra-mobile PC reference design by VIA Technologies, Inc. It has a clamshell form factor, a 7-inch 800×480 touchscreen display, and a full-size keyboard. It weighs less than 850 g and has a claimed battery life of up to 4.5 hours...
reference design, which is also used for Packard Bell
Packard Bell
Packard Bell is a Dutch computer manufacturer and a subsidiary of Acer. The name was previously used by Packard Bell, an American radio manufacturer founded in 1926. In 1986, Israeli investors bought the name for a newly formed personal computer manufacturer. Originally the company produced...
EasyNote XS. Its release was originally planned for January 25, 2008, but Everex pushed the release back citing problems with the version of gOS
GOS (operating system)
gOS or "good OS" was an Ubuntu-based GNU/Linux distribution created by Good OS LLC, a Los Angeles-based corporation. Its CIO Dave Liu described that after meeting Enlightenment and open source people, he realized that his dream to bring Web 2.0 applications into mainstream use could be achieved by...
it wanted to use. The delay was needed because Everex wanted to rewrite gOS v2 for the CloudBook so it would use GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
's window manager
Window manager
A window manager is system software that controls the placement and appearance of windows within a windowing system in a graphical user interface. Most window managers are designed to help provide a desktop environment...
instead of Enlightenment 17
Enlightenment (window manager)
Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a stacking window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE...
, making it even more compatible with Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
. The E17's Dock was replaced by the Avant Window Navigator
Avant Window Navigator
Avant Window Navigator is a dock-like bar for Linux, which sits on an edge of a user's screen and tracks open windows. Instead of representing open windows as buttons or segments on a bar, it uses icons to minimize screen space and add visual appeal. Avant Window Navigator was created by Neil J...
to approach the same looks and functionality as the older gOS versions.
Cloudbook was expected to be released in the United States of America on February 15, 2008 at Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
and ZaReason, but was pushed back to February 21 for Wal-Mart (ZaReason received a part of its shipment). The price of the device was set to US$399 and it comes with one year of limited warranty
Warranty
In business and legal transactions, a warranty is an assurance by one party to the other party that specific facts or conditions are true or will happen; the other party is permitted to rely on that assurance and seek some type of remedy if it is not true or followed.In real estate transactions, a...
with 24/7
24/7
24/7 is an abbreviation which stands for "24 hours a day, 7 days a week", usually referring to a business or service available at all times without interruption...
toll free technical support
Technical support
Technical support or tech support refers to a range of services by which enterprises provide assistance to users of technology products such as mobile phones, televisions, computers, software products or other electronic or mechanical goods...
.
Features
The Everex Cloudbook has a uniquely located built-in pointing device (a stamp-sized touchpadTouchpad
A touchpad is a pointing device featuring a tactile sensor, a specialized surface that can translate the motion and position of a user's fingers to a relative position on screen. Touch pads are a common feature of laptop computers, and they are also used as a substitute for a mouse where desk...
) on the upper right side of the computer instead of at the bottom of the keyboard as is common for notebook computers. The design of the Cloudbook is intended so it can be held in one hand while typing, or in two hands when using the mouse-cursor control, with the left thumb controlling the two "mouse buttons", and the right thumb the small trackpad, both mousepad and keys are placed directly under the screen. This design was chosen so the system could even be used when standing and walking around, instead of only when sitting. The CloudBook is sold as an Ultra-Mobile PC
Ultra-Mobile PC
An ultra-mobile PC is a small form factor version of a pen computer, a class of laptop whose specifications were launched by Microsoft and Intel in spring 2006. Sony had already made a first attempt in this direction in 2004 with its Vaio U series, which was however only sold in Asia...
(UMPC) because of this feature, even though it does not have a touch-screen. There are plans to release a version with a touch-screen in the future.
Software
The CloudBook comes with a completely new version, (compared to the version used in the gPC) of the gOS Linux distributionLinux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
(based on Ubuntu) and application software from Mozilla
Mozilla
Mozilla is a term used in a number of ways in relation to the Mozilla.org project and the Mozilla Foundation, their defunct commercial predecessor Netscape Communications Corporation, and their related application software....
, Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, faqly, OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org
OpenOffice.org, commonly known as OOo or OpenOffice, is an open-source application suite whose main components are for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, and databases. OpenOffice is available for a number of different computer operating systems, is distributed as free software...
and Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
. Originally gOS came with the Enlightenment
Enlightenment (window manager)
Enlightenment, also known simply as E, is a stacking window manager for the X Window System which can be used alone or in conjunction with a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE...
0.17 as the window manager
Window manager
A window manager is system software that controls the placement and appearance of windows within a windowing system in a graphical user interface. Most window managers are designed to help provide a desktop environment...
, but the new CloudBook version V2 "Rocket" will be based on GNOME
GNOME
GNOME is a desktop environment and graphical user interface that runs on top of a computer operating system. It is composed entirely of free and open source software...
. Though the pre-installed operating system is gOS, Everex has released Windows XP hardware drivers, making it more simple to install Microsoft's Windows XP. However, Everex warns that any software outside of the original gOS will not be covered by warranty (though the hardware's warranty will be unaffected).
Cloudbook MAX
The next generation of CloudBook, when available in 2009, was said to have a processor running at 1.6 GHz, a 80GB harddrive, touchpad and WiMAX. However the company has ceased operations and therefore this version is unlikely to ever be released.See also
- Everex green computersEverex green computersIn the mid-2000s, Everex began selling several brands of green computers. These computers are targeted at users that only need access to web applications, versus Microsoft Windows-based applications ....
- Sony U-seriesSony U-seriesThe Sony U-series of subnotebook computers refers to two series of Sony products the PCG-U and the VGN-U . The later VGN-U were, at their release, the smallest independent computers running Windows XP and the most powerful high-end subnotebooks at the time...
small laptop with a side mounted pointing stickPointing stickThe pointing stick is an isometric joystick used as a pointing device . It was invented by research scientist Ted Selker... - Palm FoleoPalm FoleoThe Palm Foleo was a planned subnotebook computer that was announced by mobile device manufacturer Palm Inc. on May 30, 2007, and canceled three months later. It intended to serve as a companion for smartphones including Palm's own Treo line...
- Ultra-Mobile PCUltra-Mobile PCAn ultra-mobile PC is a small form factor version of a pen computer, a class of laptop whose specifications were launched by Microsoft and Intel in spring 2006. Sony had already made a first attempt in this direction in 2004 with its Vaio U series, which was however only sold in Asia...
- Nokia N810Nokia N810The Nokia N810 Internet tablet is an Internet appliance from Nokia, announced on 17 October, 2007 at the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco. Despite Nokia's strong association with cellular products, the N810 is not a phone, but instead allows the user to browse the Internet and communicate using...
- Internet applianceInternet applianceAn Internet appliance is a consumer device whose main function is easy access to Internet services such as WWW or e-mail. The term was popularized in the 1990s, when it somewhat overlapped in meaning with an information appliance, Internet computer, network computer, or even thin client, but now it...
- Sylvania g netbook by gOSGOS (operating system)gOS or "good OS" was an Ubuntu-based GNU/Linux distribution created by Good OS LLC, a Los Angeles-based corporation. Its CIO Dave Liu described that after meeting Enlightenment and open source people, he realized that his dream to bring Web 2.0 applications into mainstream use could be achieved by...
and Osram SylvaniaOsram SylvaniaOsram Sylvania Inc. is the North American operation of lighting manufacturer Osram GmbH, which is owned by Siemens AG. It was established in January 1993, with the acquisition of GTE’s Sylvania lighting division by Osram GmbH....
based on the same design as the Cloudbook and also using gOS, the newer gOS 2.9 (escape Pod) - Picobook ProApricot Picobook ProThe Apricot Picobook Pro is the first product of the newly reformed Apricot Computers. It is a netbook based on the VIA NanoBook, first shown to the press on October 15 2008 at a price of £279 for the 900VL with SUSE Linux and £328 for the 900VX with Windows XP Home Edition.- Specifications :*CPU:...
netbook based on the design of the Cloudbook.
