TechBytes: Google Reveals OS

Nov. 20, 2009— -- Google has given a sneak peak of its new computer operating system. Google's Chrome is expected to be on computers for the holidays next year and could challenge Windows.

The software is designed to run on inexpensive laptops that only offer the Internet. Google says the computers will boot up in seconds, giving users almost instant access to the Web.

YouTube is making it easier for the deaf and hearing-impaired to enjoy online videos. The site is introducing automatic, machine-generated captions for its videos. YouTube is using Google's speech-recognition technology. But, because the technology is still a work in progress, the captions will only be available on a handful of YouTube channels, including PBS, National Geographic and those at a few big universities. YouTube hopes to expand the feature in time.

Couch potatoes don't have to be married to the couch anymore. Thanks to a bunch of gadgets, they can now take the TV with them. One of those devices is the Flo TV personal television. USA Today's Ed Baig has been testing it out but says there are some problems.

"For one thing, it's not going to work everywhere … and the quality is not going to confuse anybody with the HDTV," Baig said.

The lack of channels and the price of the mobile TV are also an issue for Baig. There are only 10 channels at this point and it costs $250, plus $14.99 a month after a trial period. You can read Baig's full column at USAToday.com

The perfect iPhone accessory for any "Star Wars" fanatic is now available. The "Star Wars" shop is selling two different hard cases for the iPhone; one with Darth Vader on it and the other with a storm trooper. The cases cost $30 each and ship on Dec. 8.