Google Chrome OS
This morning, Google announced a new operating system named for their recently-released Web browser, Chrome. Google Chrome OS is a PC-architecture-based operating system that Google claims will be “open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks.” It will be built on the Linux kernel and feature “speed, simplicity and security.”
Personally, I am very excited about this. There are definitely many opportunities to expand our thinking when it comes to the operating systems we use every day. In fact, our mobile phones have already begun stretching our thinking about this. Think: iPhone OS, Google Android, yes, even Windows Mobile, et al. They all work much more simply than our desktop operating systems, reduce overhead and form factor and yet still allow us to get a few things done. No, we aren’t designing in Photoshop or having serious coding sessions on these devices, but that might not be as far off as we might think.
Generally, I am a proponent of the cloud. But there are reasonable concerns about the drawbacks, namely privacy and security. As soon as we relinquish control of our data to services like Flickr, Facebook, Google, even Twitter, there are certain risks that come into play. In a sense, this would be no different with a Google OS, which will merely create a specially-tuned environment to host the Chrome browser and allow the user to very quickly boot up and access the Web.
Applications on Chrome OS are Web applications. Developers building apps for Chrome OS won’t build them for Chrome OS, they’ll build them for the Web. It’s not exactly mind-boggling by today’s standards, but it’s obviously shrewd of Google to approach a competitor like Microsoft or Apple with something completely different and with less legacy than what those competitors offer consumers (much like Google did when they released the Chrome browser last year.)
This is the start of something very cool. When I first heard the news, I quickly wondered if the world really needed another operating system (even as much as I am in favor of choice and competition.) Upon hearing the general idea for the execution of the Chrome OS, I feel confident this will be a very usable product even though as it stands it will probably be somewhat niche for a time. Netbooks are an obvious first playground. But I’m sure there will be a natural tendency for some to migrate all of their use to an OS like this. If you live on the Web, why not have your OS get you there in a flash?
Google Chrome OS is the start of a new trend in operating systems. The Internet is the new OS.
Google Announces Chrome OS
Would You Miss Windows With A Google Operating System? - NYT Bits
Fascinating analysis of a 2004 prediction that Google was crafting an OS - Jason Kottke
Stephen Elliot
2009-07-08 1122hrs
I agree! I’ve been saying for years that “I wish Google would hurry up and make an OS.” Even if the majority of one’s work is not web based right now, it would sure be nice to have a go-to computer to efficiently tackle all your internet work.
Bring it on, Google!
Binny
2009-07-09 0912hrs
This worries me!
I think it is great Google are coming into the OS market. They are one of the few who could take on Microsoft and win, purely because of who they are. Plus I’m sure they will do an excellent job. They will take Ubuntu, wrap it in their own UI and push it out for free to anyone who wants it.
But it’s what they will add that concerns me. Slowly but surely Google are trying to creep into every facet of our lives. Soon they will be on our desktops, but they are already in our phones and our internet. For a company who’s motto is “Don’t be evil” they weld enormous power, and I am not sure you can trust any one company to look after your best interests.
They will integrate the cloud into your desktop so all your documents not only live there, but also live on the internet where you can get them from anywhere. Great! But.. hold on, so Google will take a copy of everything you do (for your convenience)? Do you own that copy or do they? Can they keep it forever? What else can they do with it?
All I can think of is: Beware of geeks bearing gifts.