Hello I just received an email from google to participate in a research study, And the message goes like this Hello Chrome Notebook Pilot User,

How is your experience with the Cr-48 Chrome notebook so far?

When we started the Chrome notebook Pilot Program we were looking for users to try it out and tell us how we can make it better. Well, now is your chance to tell us!

We are currently scheduling participants for a field study and/or diary study (you can indicate whether you would like to participate in one or both).
* The field study involves you meeting 2-3 Google researchers at your home or other suitable location to tell us about your experiences with the Cr-48 Chrome notebook and show us what and how you have been using it.
* The diary study involves completing an online form about your usage and experiences with the Cr-48 Chrome notebook once day for 7 days.
Two great ways for you to tell us what you think of the Cr-48 Chrome notebook and how we can make it better!

To participate in this study you will need to be:
* At least 18 years old
* Willing to sign our Non-Disclosure Agreement
* Willing for 2-3 Google researchers to visit you at either your home or other suitable location; and available for the entire session without interruptions or distractions (field study only)

In addition to having already received a Chrome notebook, if you are selected to participate, you will also receive either a $75 Google Store gift card; a $75 Amazon gift card; a $75 AMEX gift check; or be able to donate $75 to a charity of your choice for participating in the field study; and/or a $50 Google Store gift card; a $50 Amazon gift card; or be able to donate $50 to a charity of your choice for participating in the diary study*.

To sign up for the field study and/or diary study, please complete the questionnaire by clicking Continue below**.

Many thanks,

Andy Warr
User Experience Researcher
Google

*Please note that you will not receive anything for responding to our questionnaires; you will only receive a token of our appreciation if you are invited and complete the study.

That sounds pretty cool. Hopefully I will get one of those emails also.

Something I wouldn't mind doing. Hell I thought the pilot program would have us do this sort of thing anyhow.

Edit: Part of me wants to be skeptical. Part of me has to wonder why there's a NDA involved if part of the whole reason was publicity. Also the ambiguity of 'this card, that card, a prepaid gift card, or we donate the money to charity' raises an eyebrow.

I got that email just now. I checked the headers and it looks legitimately from Google. It seems to me that the initial program was 1) publicity 2) to see what we would do with them.

Now phase 2 is to select users to give focused coherent feedback on new features that are not ready to be public.

Wonder how long before I get mine.

Mr. Warr's cruchbase profile. Looks consistent.

Very cool. Looks like Google is taking this beta very seriously. Which option are you choosing?

Wow, very cool. Fingers crossed that I'll get one!

I received the e-mail also and tried to fill out their form to apply. However, there appears to be a flaw in their form. It asks:

Do have any of the following connections to Google? *
Select all that apply.
I currently work at Google
I used to work at Google
I have an immediate family member who works for Google
I have a friend/colleague who works for Google

None of these apply to me, but when you don't respond to any of the above choices, you can't continue with the form. Between the bad grammar ("Do have any of the following connections to Google?") and the poor form design, this seems rather lame for Google.

Haha yeah that doesn't really make sense. Are you guys sure this is legitimately from Google?

I don't think anyone else besides Google would know who was sent a CR-48.