Man, the web is aflutter with rumours and speculations about whether Google will unveil some kind of consumer device at CES on Friday.  Think they will announce a Google OS-powered system?  If they do, every web development team (including mine) is possibly going to need / want some.  I know I'll be watching Google News and a bunch of blogs shortly after 4pm Pacific on Friday...

The more interesting question is whether consumers need or want this type of device.  I say yes, even if they don't know it yet.  :)  Folks like my mother and my wife for the most part are using "expensive" laptops for search, web browsing, email (web-based in both cases), IM, and checking the weather forecast.  A low-cost device could reasonably serve those needs well.  Of course the device needs a display and as much as I love my Media Center PC, the 10-foot experience (TV) is bad for email and web browsing.  So the device needs its own display, which means it has to be laptop-style ($100 laptop?) or Mac Mini style (add a monitor, mouse, and keyboard).  Both options have potential.  The web / Internet is a sufficiently interesting place that a device with a "network-is-the-computer" philosophy could be popular.

I wait with bated breath...

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