Google+ trends: Google releases new Chromebook, Maps gets an update

Chromebooks are cloud-computing latops running Google's Linux-based Chrome OS -- which runs applications in the browser, therefore making the device faster. The latest version of Google's Chromebook, released October 18, is priced at $249, measures 11.6 inches and is built on a Samsung A15-class ARM processor, leading to its being called the "Samsung Chromebook." Currently the device is only available in the US and the UK. 

However, aesthetically speaking, the new Chromebook is certainly inspired by Apple's MacBook Air, causing the latter, not the former, device to trend on Google+. Oddly enough, given the usual allegiance to Google shown by users of Google+, the device is coming in for criticism on the social network.

Daniel Young, for example, writes "OMG it's the macbook air, made by Samsung" while user Jose Melo simply posts "They're asking for it..." with a link to an article bearing the headline "Google's NewChromeBookLooks Just Like The MacBook Air." Alexander Genato sees the funny side, particularly in light of the recent Apple vs. Samsung court case, posting "I thought MacBook Air was trending cause of a new model..so its trending cause of the $249 Samsung Chrome Book that looks like the Air...patent trolls.... ASSEMBLE!"

Google is also trending on Google+ today thanks to an October 18 update to its Maps service. The update added 25 million new building "footprints" to locations across the US including Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami and the San Francisco Bay Area. The update shows the outlines of buildings on the ground in order to help users orient themselves and navigate between locations.

The top 5 most talked about topics on Google+ on October 19 at 9:30 AM GMT are:

01. #TGIF
02. #FloralFriday
03. #Yankees
04. MacBook Air
05. Google Maps