As expected, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) showcased new features in the company's upcoming Chrome OS platform at the company's I/O developer conference this week. The most noticeable enhancement is probably the return of offline support, which now lets users access their Google Docs, Google Calendar and Gmail accounts without an Internet connection. This will certainly alleviate the concerns of those who may want to work on their Chrome OS-based laptops (known as Chromebooks) on a plane, or at locations where there is no Internet connection. Caching documents on local storage is not an issue, as all Chromebooks implement data encryption using tamper-resisting hardware to protect against the theft.

Other improvements include support for USB storage devices as well as a new file handler where web applications can "claim" a file type. In addition, a new file manager allows users to browse through folders on storage devices. Google also announced some Chromebook models made by Samsung and Acer, currently scheduled to go on sale in the United States on June 15. Samsung's Chromebook will cost $429 for the Wi-Fi only version and $499 for the 3G version; Acer's Wi-Fi only model will sell at $349. Readers who are interested can check out the detailed specifications of the Chromebooks here.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at PC Mag
- check out this article at CNET Download

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