Google launches notebooks with 'no programs'

A line of notebook computers that operate with no programs on them has been unveiled by Google.

The company's new Chromebooksuse the Google Chrome operating system,based on the company's Chrome browser, Google announced on its blog and at its annual Google I/O developers conference in San Francisco Wednesday.

That means they have no programs, no desktop and nothing to start up,according toan animated video promoting the computers.

Theyare reliant on anintegrated web browser andweb applications foralltheirfunctionality. The web, rather than a local hard drive,is also usedfor storing user files such as music, documents and videos.

That means the notebooks can boot in eight seconds, don't require updates and can't losedata inhard drive crashes, the company said.

Google also promises that its built-in security means anti-virus software is unnecessary.

The computer's functions are limited when it's disconnected from the internet, althoughthe Chrome browsercan supportthe use of Gmail, Google Docs andGoogle Calendar offline, along with other applications or websites that use HTML5to run when disconnected from the internet.

In addition to using WiFi, the Chromebook can be purchased with optional 3Gwireless service, providing internet connectivity wherever 3G phones can get a signal.

Chromebook models made by Samsung and Acer will go on sale online June 15 in the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and Spain starting at $349. The company said they would be available in other countries "over the next few months" but would not release details about a Canadian launch.

In addition to individual users, Google is also targeting schools and businesses, with monthly rental subscriptions that allow them to manage applications and permissions on a fleet of Chromebooks, starting at $20 per month per school user and $28 per month per business user.

Google gave away Chromebooks for free to developers at the I/O conference.