Built-in software death dates sending 1000s of schools’ Chromebooks to the bin
mercurynews.com
mercurynews.com
> "These updates depend on many device-specific non-Google hardware and software providers that work with Google to provide the highest level of security and stability support," said Peter Du, communications manager for ChromeOS. "For this reason, older Chrome devices cannot receive updates indefinitely to enable new OS and browser features."
Anyone know what OS and browser features he's specifically referring to here, and why it's not possible to implement them on earlier Chromebook models?
> “It’s like the Fritos of software,” he said. “No one really wants to use it.”
At the risk of being a 'typical HN commenter', I wonder why not? Obviously there would be a learning curve but I feel like all students would need is a Linux operating system and a web browser.
Meanwhile, ChromeOS is intended to be an extremely accessible operating system. There is almost no learning curve if you're coming from Chrome as a web browser or MacOS. Most students, at the age they get assigned Chromebooks, have been using Google Docs, Slides, Drive, etc for years. A device that seamlessly integrates all of that is surprisingly nice, and the reason I got a Chromebook to supplement my home PC.
It's also very hard to fuck up a ChromeOS install to the point of unusability. It's easy for administrators to apply required apps, rules, and settings to all the Chromebooks in the organization, which is great when you need web filters and surveillance software to make sure students follow the rules with the devices. Google also provides tech support for the hardware and software, and I don't think Linux distros are gonna come with that level of support.