Google Announces Google Chrome Operating System

[ipodtoucher]

Who saw this coming? I know I did!

Articlehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/te...e.html?_r=1&hp

SAN FRANCISCO — In a direct challenge to Microsoft, Google is expected to announce on Wednesday that it is developing an operating system for a personal computer based on its Chrome browser, according to two people briefed on Google’s plans.

The details of the technology could not be learned, but Google plans to make the announcement on a company blog on Wednesday afternoon, this person said.

Google did not immediately return calls and e-mail messages seeking comment.

[QuarterSwede]

Originally Posted by ipodtoucher

Who saw this coming? I know I did!

Articlehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/te...e.html?_r=1&hp

If it's as ugly as Google Apps are then you can count me out. I'm really starting to not like how Google handles certain things (labels, calendar is garbage compared to iCal/Outlook).

[TK2K]

Originally Posted by ipodtoucher

Who saw this coming? I know I did!

Articlehttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/te...e.html?_r=1&hp

it's this REALY old news? I swear i saw an alpha screen shot floating around in 2006

[Gelfin]

A new operating system based on a browser? Isn't that a little like building a new car based on a bucket seat?

[str1f3]

Beat me to it. Google blog:http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/...chrome-os.html

This is huge. I'm not really a Google fan but all OSs are threatened by this just because it's Google. They are planning to open source the code so it could potentially kill off other Linux distros not to mention throwing down the gauntlet to Microsoft. If I were Apple I'd be a little scared.

You now have Google starting to create an ecosystem with Android, Chrome/OS, Search, Gmail, Gcal, etc. I wonder how long it is before they get hit with antitrust regulations by the gov't.

[godslabrat]

News? Really? Seriously?

I've been hearing rumblings of a GoogleOS for years... hasn't everyone? I'm sure MS and Apple have contingency plans for this, and it remains to be seen how much the general public will even notice.

Personally, I find Google products to be reasonable in quality and a fair substitute to Microsoft's offerings, but I typically use them because they're free and convenient, NOT because they're the best. I don't predict I'll be rushing to adopt the GoogleOS as my platform of choice.

[Abstract]

Good. I'm glad.


There are a lot of people in the world who only do a few things with a computer, even in today's world:

- Watch porn.
- Check their email.
- browse the web.
- Video streaming via Youtube, Hulu
- listen to music and sync their iPods
- documents and spreadsheets
- organise and edit some photos.
- MSN, Skype, etc.


That covers most tasks for most people. You really don't even need a complex OS like OS X or Windows to do these basic tasks, which is what's funny about OSes getting more complex and feature-filled.

Then there are some programs that are more complex, but just because an OS is designed to be really simple does not mean that more complex software can't run on it. So even something like Photoshop would work, and since Adobe already plans to have an online version of Photoshop (they released a simple version well over a year ago), it's not unbelievable that Google could develop a really simple OS with an improved layout, that would make things simpler for most people.

[ipodtoucher]

Originally Posted by Abstract

Good. I'm glad.


There are a lot of people in the world who only do a few things with a computer, even in today's world:

- Watch porn.
- Check their email.
- browse the web.
- Video streaming via Youtube, Hulu
- listen to music and sync their iPods
- documents and spreadsheets
- organise and edit some photos.
- MSN, Skype, etc.


That covers most tasks for most people. You really don't even need a complex OS like OS X or Windows to do these basic tasks, which is what's funny about OSes getting more complex and feature-filled.

Then there are some programs that are more complex, but just because an OS is designed to be really simple does not mean that more complex software can't run on it. So even something like Photoshop would work, and since Adobe already plans to have an online version of Photoshop (they released a simple version well over a year ago), it's not unbelievable that Google could develop a really simple OS with an improved layout, that would make things simpler for most people.

Yeah I agree, although I do all of that on top of the extras, but that's mainly what I do... My mom just bought a Macbook, but I know that she would have been better with a nice laptop with the Google OS, cause all she does is surf and play games :P

I'm interested to see what it will look like, I've used chrome and it was pretty nice.

[str1f3]

Originally Posted by godslabrat

News? Really? Seriously?

I've been hearing rumblings of a GoogleOS for years... hasn't everyone? I'm sure MS and Apple have contingency plans for this, and it remains to be seen how much the general public will even notice.

Personally, I find Google products to be reasonable in quality and a fair substitute to Microsoft's offerings, but I typically use them because they're free and convenient, NOT because they're the best. I don't predict I'll be rushing to adopt the GoogleOS as my platform of choice.

Maybe you and I won't but most, if not all who buy Windows don't go looking for the best but what can get the job done at the cheapest price. This will kill off Linux distros which makes me queasy and I don't trust Google with privacy issues.

This almost the equivalent desktop version of the Pre. 90% of what most people do is through the web apps. It's the other 10% that Google may struggle with. Huh I wonder if they'll be an iTunes for Chrome, lol.

[Abstract]

Originally Posted by ipodtoucher

Yeah I agree, although I do all of that on top of the extras, but that's mainly what I do... My mom just bought a Macbook, but I know that she would have been better with a nice laptop with the Google OS, cause all she does is surf and play games :P

And all my mum does is check her email for specials sent from travel companies (she has signed up for newsletters, thinking that it's email rather than spam ). She may also check the internet, but usually she doesn't. She rarely takes photos, but when she does, they end up on the computer somewhere.


That's it. Two tasks, and occasionally three. A simple OS would be just fine. If they made different modes such as a "simple" mode, where the desktop an internet browser, even better.

[thejadedmonkey]

I seriously don't understand. A web OS needs a file system, which means that Google is going to have to provide (lets say) 4 gigs of cloud drive space. Then, lets say that your internet is fast enough to connect to the cloud at a reasonable speed without lag...

So Google gives me a HDD that has a bunch of symbolic links to the cloud, all programs are on the cloud... but I still need to have a file system so I can upload my photo into Photoshop Online's editor...

So basically instead of having a computer that I own, I'll have a computer that (basically) doesn't have a hard drive. Probably I'll need to pay (google) for hosting more then x gigs in the cloud.

This computer can work offline using Google Gears, however because it is based primarily for online usage, I won't be able to run any crazy 3D renderings.

So how I see it, I'll get a Netbook running a flavor of Linux... and it'll take a LOT to convince people that a flavor of linux is better then Windows 7 with Live Mesh installed.

/Rant

[MacRumors]

Google announced that they are getting into the Operating System business with Google Chrome Operating System. The new OS is described as their attempt to "re-think" what operating systems should be.

Google Chrome OS will be an open source, lightweight operating system that is initially targeted at netbooks.

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.

The new OS will run on both x86 and ARM chips. The first netbooks will begin shipping with the OS in the second half of 2010. In the long term. Google does expect that Chrome OS will work anywhere from small netbooks to full size desktop machines.

While Microsoft has the most to lose from such direct competition from Google, Apple will also be affected by Google's move into this space. In fact, Google's ultimate goal seems to be the same target market as Apple's. They are specifically shooting for ease of use and accessibility:

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.

The Web will be a central part of the new operating system, and demonstrates the importance of supplying a robust browser experience. Google's work on the Chrome browser will carry over into the new OS.

Article Link: Google Announces Google Chrome Operating System

[the Helix]

It's great for Google to give Apple competition. It will only mean better operating systems for us all.

[sdsvtdriver]

everything is always circular.

dumb terminal to pc back to dumb terminal 2009.

[bug67]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I'd love a no bloat, run on anything OS.

[Phormic]

Wow. Just wow.

What an incredibly brave move. The computer OS market is so entrenched and difficult to enter and Google is now going after Microsoft's bottom end.

The empire is slowly crumbling.

[LloydBraun89]

maybe this is a dumb question , but what type of foundation or architecture is it based on, or is it completely new?

[darijoe]

Oh my goodness! This could be the biggest tech announcement this year!! Go Google!

[LethalWolfe]

Android is such a raging success that Google decided to expand their OS dominance.


Lethal

[Kamera RAWr]

It'll be great to see what comes of it! Apple doesn't have to have (or appear to have) the monopoly on innovation when it comes to operating systems.

[applefan69]

Years ago when Gmail first came out and i was "wowed" by how great it was compared to both Hotmail, and Yahoo I remember saying to my friends:

"When google does something... they usually do it right and i wont be surprised to see a google OS one day and with that said ill bet money that the OS will be very good as well"

I dont like windows much, and always been an OS X nerd. BUt this Chrome OS could be interesting... I cant wait to hear more about this, I havnt got truly excited about news from this site in a while. I usually just read it for something to do. =]

[dfnj123]

Anyone hoping a new version of bootcamp support this OS in the future

[Cassie]

I'm pretty sure everyone saw this coming...but I'm reluctant to place my data in the hands of such a rapidly expanding company...

[applefan69]

Originally Posted by dfnj123

Anyone hoping a new version of bootcamp support this OS in the future

I dont know if your kidding, but I would only think that would happen if it came to the point where this chrome OS was popular enough that apple needed to say macs could run it, for the sake of marketing macs.

[ToM-RSC]

Unless Google add windows program compatibility out of the box, their system will fail. If it's based on Linux, grats to them, but for ease of use for customers, I doubt that it will be wanted - their used to the Windows ways of things.