...gOS!
Thankyou all for the very helpful suggestions in the Kogan Netbook post. It was great to get detailed, insightful feedback.
We've taken all the advise very seriously and many of the requests have made it into the final product design. We'll be releasing details about the Kogan Netbook over the coming days and weeks.
For now, I want to talk about the operating system. Claudio, David Mulder, and Greg all suggested gOS would be a good option. I tried it out myself, and played with Ubuntu Netbook Remix, KDE 4, and a few others as well. At the end of the day, gOS was clearly the best flavour of linux for the Kogan netbook.
We ended up choosing gOS because it's fast, easy to use, stable, and has a fantastic, intuitive interface. Here's a screenshot of gOS running a few gadgets:
You can see more screenshots of gOS in action here: http://www.thinkgos.com/gos/screenshots.html
We will of course include simple instructions for users wanting to install another version of Linux. As you may know, gOS is based in Ubuntu which is great news for compatibility and support.
Here's a video of David Liu, the founder of gOS, running through some of the newest features:
gOS has a number of great features and pre-loaded apps including:
- Google Picasa™ with WINE 1.0™
- Google Mail™ and Calendar™
- Google Gadgets™
- Google Documents™, Spreadsheets™, and Presentations™
- 3D Window Switcher™
- Google Desktop Search™
- Mozilla Firefox™
- Open Office™
We're building this netbook on the principles of open source cloud computing. The future of everything we do is headed towards the cloud -- and this operating system is a major step in the right direction. So much of what we can do is stored online, and the combination of the Kogan Netbook and gOS will make cloud computing a reality, especially using a number of Google applications.
I'm keen to hear your thoughts, I hope you're as excited about this one as I am! Stay tuned for more details about the Kogan Netbook.
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Join the discussion...
Trent Petronaitis says...
I'm pretty sure I suggested gOS as well at lest once in my ramblings.
It's good to hear you are down packing the specs and system os of the netbook.
But I would rather more news on the Argora ;)
Posted at 7:56 a.m. on March 11, 2009
Trent Petronaitis says...
Oh second after thought- maybe you could partner with gOS and get Cloud on it as well ;)
Posted at 7:57 a.m. on March 11, 2009
Li says...
I've been playing with gOS the part couple of days, as a Linux noob I can't compare but it but it has breathed new life into my old pentium 3. Fast, looks good, stable, perfect for the more limited use of a netbook.
Congrats to Kogan for having the guts to go for something new and innovative. When companies get too big I guess they just forget how to be creative and take a bit of risk. I hope everything goes really well!
Ps. Does anyone out there know where nokia bluetooth or usb modem drivers can be found for gOS?
Posted at 8:15 a.m. on March 11, 2009
tim says...
looks great! very mac like
Posted at 1:47 p.m. on March 11, 2009
James says...
Awesome news and a great choice!
It's good to see that you benchmarked a variety of linux flavours and I think you have made the wisest decision. Cloud computing is the future so it's good to see you are heading in that direction.
Can't wait to hear more news about this product and what specs it will be distributed with :)
Posted at 3:11 p.m. on March 11, 2009
Ryan says...
The founder's surname is Liu, not Lui.
Posted at 10:56 p.m. on March 11, 2009
jones says...
ok kogan...
does it have the following.
- 3g
- bluetooth
- wireless
and if you do a model with 3g will it be expensive?
and can you reply.. you never reply
Posted at 4:46 p.m. on March 12, 2009
Loki says...
Jones,
follow this link...
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/03/first_hands_on_with_kog...
It answer some of your questions, however I don't think Kogan Netbook will have 3G, unless one of the major telco's decide to include Kogan Netbook as their part of subscription plan. Anyhow I don't think people who can afford mobile internet will be interested in a Netbook. With their budget they could be using Lenovo X200, X300 or Macbook Air. Maybe this will change as mobile internet prices drops.
Anyway this is bit off the topic for this post. Back to gOS, fine little OS, but I hope when netbook version of Window 7 comes out, Kogan netbook will be able to run it as well... finger crossed.
Posted at 5:22 p.m. on March 12, 2009
Tyrese says...
Hi saw your prototype on gizmodo (looks great except for the one with the 6cell battery - that looks strange with the extra battery cell sticking out) just wanna let you know please don't include a phone line port for connection to a dial up modem since no one is going to use this with wireless broadband around, if possible replace it with another USB port. Definetly agree with the comments made on the other blog about having a high capacity HDD (eg 160GB) over a wimpy little 16GB SSD as featured in the Dell inspiron mini 9 netbook.
P.S. is the screen on this a glossy LED or just a normal one (the glossy screens can be sometimes very hard to read especially as they are prone to glare reflection (even under normal lighting conditions), also is the built-in wifi draft-N or just normal G??? (can't wait to get my hands on one)
Posted at 8:29 p.m. on March 12, 2009
Ruslan Kogan says...
Hi Jones,
I hope that link to Gizmodo answers your questions -- let me know if you have any other questions.
The Wifi will be G, and the screen is definitely a matte screen. I've used many glossy screens on notebooks and netbooks and they're practically impossible the second you're outdoors. Since netbooks are designed to be portable I think putting a glossy screen on it would be crazy!
I will be releasing more details on this early next week -- including the full specifications, purchasing, and delivery details. Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Ruslan
Posted at 9:44 p.m. on March 12, 2009
Myles says...
The gOS is looking good, and loving the fact that it's uBuntu based. Bluetooth should just come as a dongle. Don't really see people using the old school port next to the RJ45 port though (Based on Gizmodo) but oh well, it doesn't hurt. I pray that the netbook is fanless.
Posted at 11:22 p.m. on March 12, 2009
Julio says...
WOW...This looks unreal! Excellent work Kogan!
I'm definitely gettin me The Pro model!
It's all about the 2GB RAM and the 6 cell!
Posted at 12:27 a.m. on March 13, 2009
Eduardo says...
Exxxcellent!! (Like Mr. Burns says...). I really hope you can ship-it to europe for almost the same price (Can I be your Europe resseler? lol). Keep up with the good work. Now we'll wait for Agora details.
Posted at 9:08 a.m. on March 13, 2009
Julian A says...
Hopefully some updates on the Agora phone next week.
Posted at 9:56 a.m. on March 13, 2009
trentpetro says...
I hope so, I'm anispaiting the phone more than the netbook and if I do get the netbook it would be once the phone is out and I might get both at the same time.
Posted at 6:01 p.m. on March 13, 2009
Dan says...
Im Looking forward to its release, been holding off buying a netbook until the technology grew further/price came down. It seems the prices are always so cheap in the US and once the products come over here the price always get inflated beyond what it should be. Looks like a great value computer, hopefully it gets released soon im eager to buy one. Also have you thought as an option for the pro model to have it released with the new N80 Atom processor? I wouldnt mind paying a slightly higher premium for the latest technology.
Posted at 2:18 p.m. on March 14, 2009
Simon says...
Best of luck with this one - I use Ubuntu, this computer and its OS looks perfect for the market. Want one for my next netbook, that's for sure.
Posted at 2:49 p.m. on March 14, 2009
John says...
I love ubuntu but gos looks like it might even be better option for the masses which is who you are aiming at. All the google apps will make it an easier transition for people who use windows with google apps. I think I will try it on my old p3 laptop running puppy linux as it has pretty low system requirement.
Just a response to Grant puppy linux is a nice little light fast linux distribution which is great for old systems but its not pretty or friendly enough for the unintiated to linux.
Posted at 4:23 p.m. on March 14, 2009
Tyrese says...
hey kogan with the wifi would you be able to make it draft-N in the pro model instead of the extra 1GB of RAM??? and also most people would much rather prefer a built-in bluetooth module for the pro model instead of a bluetooth dongle
Posted at 1:13 p.m. on March 15, 2009
Rob says...
yeah mate definetly agree with you tyrese, it should have a built-in bluetooth otherwise whats the point of making such a portable device, as for the wifi the draft-N would be great on the pro model but would really like to see built-in 3G wireless mobile broadband as an option (possibly vodafone or three mobile)
Posted at 1:21 p.m. on March 15, 2009
Ridion says...
The netbook looks good, maybe now I'll upgrade from my eee701. no need to have draft-N in a netbook, 3g would be awesome but really, it's no biggie. it's sad not to see bluetooth. when you properly post specs, i'd really like to know how long each battery lasts idling with low brightness etc and under load, It's information that I think alot of buyers want to know but nobody publishes.
I'd realy like to see you get some clever people to write software to make the agora work with the netbook in some really clever way. As you're running gOS, there should be plenty of connectivity through the cloud, make the calender on the netbook the same calander on google and on the agora. Also still waiting to hear more about that. Just had to buy a new phone because the first version didn't ship,
Posted at 11:58 p.m. on March 15, 2009
Matt says...
I've just seen the announcement about the Agora netbook on Google News today. I will order one on Tuesday.
I really want the 3G function built in. I plug my present 3G modem in twice a day on the train and in a Cloud computer it should be built in.
Can I please get advice on the 3G modem that has been identified for future incorporation and some guidance on how to retro fit it to the initial release model?
Thanks and well done again, Matt
Posted at 7:07 a.m. on March 16, 2009
David S says...
It's great you guys are pushing the boundry.. I was really disapointed about the Kogan Android phone.. such a pitty it didn't get anywhere.
So the netbook is definately coming out? the gOS is a good idea to provide a fully working system, however I am looking at loading either XP or vista basic due to the fact I need to do some coding on the go.. and yes even a 10" screen is ok!
I think the 2gb version will be great... do you see loading XP etc as a problem? (i.e. I have MSDN subscription, and so have XP/vista licenses)
Well done! sounds very exciting.. and just in time.. I was just going this week to buy either a HP mini or a ACER onenote.. until I saw the Kogan and the price!
Posted at 8:38 a.m. on March 16, 2009
Paul says...
I'd also like to know if we will be able to load XP/Vista.
I plan to use WIndows 7 if it lives up to the hype of the betas... but until that time would probably need to use XP.
Will the drivers be freely available for full functaionality? And what about different versions of linux (Fedora or Ubuntu).
Keep up the great work. I will certainly be buying one of these if they turn out to be as good as they seem on paper.
Paul
Posted at 10:59 a.m. on March 16, 2009
Simon says...
Just some observations - I downloaded and installed GOS on my eepc701. Its great - not slow even on my underpowered eee.
I hope that the Kogan crew make it that the Office.org is as late as possible - its 2.4 in my GOS.
And, a very very nice touch for the market of linux newbies is that you make it so that the default filesave format is changed to WordXp - this was how my eee arrived with xandros.
Also, I am wondering how updates tie in with Ubuntu in general? If Ubuntu 9.04 comes out and boots three times more quickly than Ubuntu 8.10 - can GOS just be updated? Or would it be possible after just a small delay?
Posted at 1:14 p.m. on March 16, 2009
Ruslan Kogan says...
Hi Shane888,
That model has the same shell as our design, but the components would not be the same. That shell is freely available to anyone on the market. We have specifically designed this product to suit the desires and needs of our customers.
We will be able to answer a few more questions and provide more detail when we make the official announcement about the Kogan Agora Netbook this week -- stay tuned!
Posted at 1:37 p.m. on March 16, 2009
Ben Harvey says...
Any chance of 3G a basic device supporting 850/2100 or 900/2100 UMTS would be unreal
To the above posters there is no requirement of patnership with a telco for 3G most users understand how bands work and will just get a contractless data sim card
Maybe a Internal Mini PCIe slot and twin or single antena's could be included in the design so we can use our own Mini PCIe cards
In my opinion noone has yet to hit the netbook on the head its purpose is email and web browsing and portability that in my opinion means long battery life and a plethora of connectivity WiFi for when your around it and 3G when your on the move
And finally the price
Im yet to review a netbook that lives up to the definition
Posted at 10 p.m. on March 16, 2009
Ken says...
This is really good news. So far, Aussie customers were treated like dumb joe-average users as far as linux on netbooks was concerned and all your harvey-normans and dick-smiths slowly pushed linux netbooks off their shelves citing 'customer demand for Windows' as the excuse. Obviously there were stronger reasons (pressure from a certain company based in Redmond.)
Last week, a sales guy at Bing Lee actually seemed frustrated with me when I asked for a 10 inch linux netbook.
"What's wrong with XP?", he demanded.
"Nothing's wrong with it", I said, "I just want Linux".
So yeah!, this is awesome news.
Posted at 7:56 a.m. on March 17, 2009
Trent petro says...
Whats wrong with xp? Its old.
Posted at 3:34 p.m. on March 17, 2009
Trev says...
Hey Ruslan,
Just wondering when you are considering on releasing a white version of the Agora? I have been interested about getting a netbook for a while now, but have not found a reason to obtain one until now. I must admit that the Agora is what i am seeking, albeit in white.
Well done.
Posted at 6:46 p.m. on March 26, 2009
Chris says...
There is no real need for 3G built in, just bluetooth or wireless tether it to a mobile phone. For starters it removes the requirement for an extra SIM card and account
Posted at 5:58 a.m. on March 30, 2009
Andrew says...
Two questions about speed, please.
What is the boot time on the new Agora netbook running gOS, from pressing the power button to the user having full control?
What is the time from pressing the power button to being connected to the user's usual wireless network (I assume it can be set to automatically connect to a specified network if available?).
Posted at 6:58 p.m. on April 5, 2009
Peter says...
Has anyone got the Telstra Wireless Broadband USB device working with gOS via WINE?
Posted at 5:16 p.m. on April 8, 2009
nick r says...
hi - looks a great net bk indeed. About to order one yes - BUT - just need to check there are no issues using my 3 wireless USB internet modems - how many usb ports btw does this unit have - final question - about the OpenSource stuff [willing to try it sure] - is there something like Access and Powerpoint for presentations - or can this be downloaded as needed?? Thanks for a great unit at an exc price mark. Also - kudos on your efforts with the Google phone - anynews on that?
regards
nick
Posted at 10:16 p.m. on June 24, 2009
Comments are closed.
Comments have been closed for this post.