Before people start saying that CDs are dead, keep in mind that the types of people that (a) shop at Best Buy and (b) still aren't using Chrome are those likely to still have an old computer with an optical drive. In fact, they probably feel more comfortable installing software from a CD than downloading it from the internet because it's more "physical" and is endorsed by an "authority" (Best Buy, FWIW).
Yes. Totally agree. This was a very smart move made by Google, and it will be interesting to see how it affects the adoption rate of both Chrome and the Chromebook.
I was going to write some snarky comment, "I was just thinking it was time to replace my commemorative AOL coasters"...
However, this might be useful for the people who are buying PCs @ bestbuy. Especially if you get the BestBuy associates to hand them out / suggest them when someone buys a new computer. Also, lest we forget, AOL is not the great company it could've been but the free CDs did help make them the giant they once were, they just didn't pivot fast enough.
In conclusion, by having an insightful thought I also got to share my snarky comment.
Hey, it worked for AOL. I do think they'd have better luck giving away free USB sticks preloaded with Chrome, but maybe the costs are still prohibitive at this scale.
[On second thought, there are some more issues to consider. In order for them to be useful rather than landfill, they'd have to be writable, but that would be a security nightmare. Imagine someone grabbing one, putting malware on it, and tossing it back in the basket. If they're non-writable, then the question becomes whether they can be manufactured as efficiently as CDs, and with a lesser long-term environmental impact.]
Every thumb drive I've ever found comes in nigh-indestructible plastic casing. I'd say the issue with this idea is less one of malware and more that Best Buy wants all the USB sticks that leave their store to cost $20+.
This looks like a superb move by Google, I would pick one up if I was there, regardless.
Marketing wise, it looks great, and will be a wonderful way to put Chrome in front of people who wouldn't be the type to download or even show interest in software on the internet.
These same people are those who associate the Internet with the blue E. The same people who if they get into their heads that Chrome icon = nice experience, may shell out the money happily for a chromebook which gives them what they want.
For what must be a very cheap marketing move, I don't see any negatives to this.
Why would you pick one up? Why not simply download chrome. Having a cd is just going to be obsolete by the time you get home. Doesn't make any sense. If you're reading hn, you're probably already quite capable of downloading and installing the software.
They look great. They have no function, no reason why I can't download the software and I regularly do, but is there not something nice about having a nice case for software like this.
Similar to the way I like to buy physical books for those books which I think I would like on my bookshelf.
as a p.s anyone feel like bundling vim into a nice case for me? :P
> Having a cd is just going to be obsolete by the time you get home.
I'm guessing the CD doesn't actually contain Chrome - just some code to download it. It's like how the Chrome download on Google's site is actually for an installer that will itself download the latest version of Chrome.
Yes, there are probably some people that cannot figure out how to download chrome, but those people would also not likely notice any difference between chrome and the browser they already have.
I was referring to the person that commented, reading hacker news probably means this person is both aware and capable of downloading it.
>The CDs were in really cool plexi-glass cases held together by magnets. The Chrome Expert also gave us the cool idea of using the case as a picture frame after we were done using the CD.
Actually that CD and case does looks quite nice. I would want one myself!
I'm also curious about a Chromebook but I doubt they will arrive in Romania anytime soon. The new Samsung model doesn't seem to be available not even on the German Amazon!
Everything old is new again. But, this actually shows you how aggressive that Google wants to market this stuff. Google is Microsoft but is open source friendly. I will ride this wave for as long as it takes me :)
My dad loves physical software -- downloading is confusing for him. This is a smart (and inexpensive) move for Google, one that I welcome with open arms, as any effort to get people to stop using anything below IE9 makes my life a whole lot easier
Following the comments here - Is there really a large untapped market of people that will only use CDs to install Chrome, which Google needs to convert from presumably IE/FF or are they just spending random money? Also, does the installer coax you into starting a Google+ account?
