Google OS Coming

[bigmick22]

from today's Irish Times (and Reuter) .. Irish Times Google OS Article

coming after Android, not really a surprise ...

Google to launch new PC platform

Google is planning to challenge Microsoft by seeking to unseat the software giant's globally dominant Windows operating system for personal computers.

Google, which already offers a suite of e-mail, internet and other software products that compete with Microsoft, said last night it would launch a new operating system for computers ranging from ultra-compact netbooks to full-size desktop PCs.

Called the Google Chrome Operating System, the new software will be in netbooks for consumers in the second half of 2010, Google said in a blog post, adding that it was working with multiple manufacturers.

"It's been part of their culture to go after and remove Microsoft as a major holder of technology, and this is part of their strategy to do it," said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at Enderle Group. "This could be very disruptive. If they can execute, Microsoft is vulnerable to an attack like this, and they know it," he said.

Google and Microsoft have often locked horns over the years in a variety of markets, from Internet search to mobile software. It remains to be seen if Google can take market share away from Microsoft on its home turf, with Windows currently installed in more than 90 percent of the world's PCs.

Key to success will be whether Google can lock in partnerships with PC makers, such as Hewlett-Packard and Dell, which currently offer Windows on most of their product lines.

Google's Chrome Internet browser, launched in late 2008, remains a distant fourth in the Web browser market, with a 1.2 per cent share in February, according to market research firm Net Applications. Microsoft's Internet Explorer continues to dominate, with nearly 70 per cent.

A spokesman for Microsoft had no immediate comment.

The new Chrome OS is expected to work well with many of the company's popular software applications, such as Gmail, Google Calendar and Google Maps.

It will be fast and lightweight, enabling users to access the web in a few seconds, Google said. The new OS is based on open-source Linux code, which allows third-party developers to design compatible applications.

"The operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web," Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management at Google, said in the blog post. The Chrome OS is "our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be".

Google said Chrome OS was a new project, separate from its Android mobile operating software found in some smartphones. Acer, has already agreed to sell netbooks that run Android.

The new OS is designed to work with ARM and x86 chips, the main chip architectures in use today.

Reuters

[Snick]

Why would anyone want a free Operating System from Google, when they can pay hundreds of dollars for an operating system from Microsoft ?, one based on finest technology of the 1980s !

Will Chrome be a 64bit operating system on top of a 32 bit operating system running as an extended process of a 16bit operating with an 8bit core ?
I think NOT !

Will Chrome be TV [1] friendly like Microsoft OS ?...NO.

Think of all the Anti-Virus developers (and Virus developers !) who could be made unemployed.

Not for me...I will continue to support Microsoft products by buying them at Panthip !........at least I would if I didn't use a Mac.

[1] TV short for Trojan and Virus

[Stogie]

It sounds great doesn't it?

But there are two issues...

You always need an internet connection and you have all (or many) of your personal files and information stored remotely around the globe.

Certainly the OS as we have it now has to change. It's a step backwards to have to install a 5 gig application on a computer before any of the others will even work. But the world is not a hotspot and if there is no access to the internet then there is no OS in the case of Google.

Microslowsoft will wake up and have an online OS up and running very soon after Google.

The best result for consumers is to be able to access our files and work from a home database with an online OS from any device. We're not too far away from that now.

[bigmick22]

some more comment from zdnet.com - ZDNet Google OS Comment

Late last night Google finally owned up to having an OS in the pipeline the Google Chrome Operating System. This is going to be a game changer.

We don't have a lot of information on Chrome OS just yet, but what we do know is very interesting:

* It's open source
* It's a lightweight OS aimed at netbooks
* It'll be available to consumers in the second-half of 2010
* It'll run in x86 and ARM processors
* The idea is for you to be on the web in seconds

Should Microsoft be threatened by this announcement? You bet.

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

There's also a clear shot in Microsoft's direction:

We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear €” computers need to get better.

While it's clear that Google's intention for Chrome OS is for it to be a platform for users to access web-based services (Google web-based services €¦), given that this OS is based on the Linux there's no reason to assume that the OS could be a platform for all sorts of apps. In fact, I think that Google shouldn't be too focused on web-based services and add a sprinkling of apps too (and make sure it's easy for users to find more).

One thing's for sure, this is a game changer. Big style. So far, Linux and open source as a whole hasn't had a major company giving it momentum in the consumer market. While people might not have a clue what an Ubuntu or Linux or FOSS is, people do know what Google is, and this means that for the first time, Linux represents a serious threat to Microsoft's business.

Anther factor that makes this a game changer is that it represents an unorthodox way to make money from an OS. Microsoft's business model is based on fostering a platform, but ultimately it has to sell each and every new OS to users. Apple ties the OS to the hardware, in effect giving the OS away for free. Google will be looking at using ad revenue to make this venture worthwhile. Microsoft is vulnerable at the lower-end of the price spectrum because the cost of the OS represents a significant chunk of the overall cost of systems. A free OS pushed by a big name like Google could quickly gather momentum, especially are more and more people find that there is indeed a life beyond Windows.

Another interesting question here is how does this move by Google affect its relationship with Apple? Scan the board of directors for both companies and you see a crossover - Google CEO Eric Schmidt. As Google takes aim at the consumer electronics market, this relationship could become strained.

Note: Arthur D. Levinson is also a director on both boards.

All that said, it is important to inject realism into the debate. Microsoft is unlikely to stand still and hand the netbook market to Google. Microsoft knows what the consequences are to its bottom line if it loses its grip on the OS market. That means that Google has a fight on its hands. Still, there's no doubt that this will shake up the OS market, and that's a good thing. At the very least, we'll see some innovation.

[Beavis]

Google's approach may appeal to casual users who make modest demands from their PC and software used. It's a big leap of faith to store your files at a remote location when you can easily safeguard stuff on your own PC. Google already have a reputation for invasion of privacy...just imagine the fun they could have while storing all your files. Not for me !

[bigmick22]

some supposition from people that all (or many) of your files will be stored remotely

I haven't seen anything from Google yet to suggest this. It may be an option - who knows right now?

[manarak]

Google's strategy makes sense, software will continue to rule the world, and it will continue to spread to all areas of people's life.
Now they try to jump into Microsoft's yard. Who would have thought that one day, a search engine would become big enough to start a battle with Ms on MS's ground?


Yet I doubt Google's OS will be very useful in the next 10 years.
Either they will offer a virtualized system or they have a huge task in front of them that they can't tackle in less than 10 years (think about all the hardware drivers!!).

I don't want to use a virtualized system.
I want a box that contains all files and programs it needs to run.
In principle, like Windows, but more stable and less vulnerable.

And I certainly won't store any files remotely.


Google OS probably will be something lightweight for running netbooks et al, and/or providing everything that is needed for a basic work PC environment (browser, email and office programs) . That will give companies a new excuse to provide employees with even more limited PCs.

Totally useless for anybody needing special software.

[PigDogg]

Here's a view from a Luddite and there's probably lots like me out there.      

98% of my computer use is web browsing and email.  If I'm not connected to internet I don't have use for my computer.  

So perhaps the Google OS is not optimal for a work environment but should be fine for the personal use of guys like me.

[bigmick22]

(manarak @ Jul. 10 2009,18:10) Either they will offer a virtualized system or they have a huge task in front of them that they can't tackle in less than 10 years (think about all the hardware drivers!!).

Googe OS is based on Linux - so there are drivers already available and  they will benefit from all the work being done by 1000s of people in the linux community to keep drivers etc up to date

[bigmick22]

again, the other comments re virtualization, remote file storage etc are mere supposition at this stage

I'm not a Google fanboy but I see the Microsoft FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) strategy is already in place

probably means they're scared

[fleeing]

I reckon the really interesting thing about this is what it will mean for Linux.

Like others I have tried to use Linux, but been flummoxed by the lack of user friendliness.
Configuring and downloading 'stuff' in Windows is relatively straight forward but a pain in Linux.

Hopefully Google might be able to do for Linux what all the Linux nerds have refused to do for so long.... make it relatively straight forward to use but still flexible!

That would be a real threat to Microsoft.

But there again Google may just create a(nother) mobile telephone style interface for Linux à la Andros that shipped with the first Asus EEE.

Fingers crossed for something radical.

[dummy_plug]

(PigDogg @ Jul. 11 2009,00:18) Here's a view from a Luddite and there's probably lots like me out there.      

98% of my computer use is web browsing and email.  If I'm not connected to internet I don't have use for my computer.  

So perhaps the Google OS is not optimal for a work environment but should be fine for the personal use of guys like me.

Spot on mate. This is the user Google is targeting, which is in essence, going to be the vast majority of internet users that are coming online in the developing world such as China, India, SE Asia, Latin America, and Africa who want/need online access but don't need the other shit that comes with buying a full-fledged PC. This market is going to be vastly untapped as Microsoft seems to be unwilling to lower the price of a legitimate copy of Windows.

Anyways, most people who aren't work-users or students don't really need Windows or Mac OS and accompanying software anyways. If I'm not at work, I'm really only using my computer to chat, browse the web, write e-mails, or look at videos/pictures/etc. Google's OS can do all of that and more, best yet, it's free and will not be resource-intensive so it won't require a fancy computer system stocked with all the bells and whistles.

My only confusion, which even Google seems to have, is how this fits in with Android, which is already going to be used in some upcoming netbooks and can do all of what I described above. I read a few articles on the "differences" between the two, but it still sounds like they had two competing projects and will use Android to be non-PC-related (e.g. it will be used for mobile phones, mobile internet devices, and things such as OS to run systems in cars/appliances).

Either way, as a consumer, I think we win.

PS: On a side note, I've been very impressed with Android so far and I can't wait for it to start getting put out there more. The limited release of Android hardware on the market is frustrating but I think a big deluge is coming and we'll really see it start to pick-up and shine.