Google Announces Google Chrome Operating System

[Hattig]

Linux hasnt "caught on" mostly due to the hassle of getting everything working just right. No matter how simple people claim versions of linux, such as Ubuntu, have become, Linux is still a bit of a b**** to get it running with the convienence and overall "greatness" that users are used to in commercial OS's such as windows or OS X.

Agreed, so far in netbooks the Linux installs have been half-hearted at best, although the initial Asus desktop on the EeePC 700 series had some thought put into it. Ubuntu and Intel are working hard on Ubuntu Netbook Remix and Moblin, but there are still too many bits of proprietary hardware out there that the manufacturer doesn't want to give out specifications for. Not things like graphics even, but standard run of the mill things like microphones and wifi chips.

Google can hopefully get it's Linux+Chrome OS onto hardware that is fully supportive of their OS. In addition they probably won't cry about using binary drivers as well. I personally think they should use FreeBSD, but its ARM port is probably less mature.

I can definitely see my current netbook (HP2133 - Linux doesn't support the microphone, nor video decode acceleration, because of the proprietary VIA hardware, and VIA supposedly support Linux, like hell they actually care) with a nice ARM based ChromeBook with 10 hours battery life next year. 1.5GHz dual-core SnapDragon please!

 

[hazmatzak]

What Chrome would need though is a good media player, windows media and mov files aren't really that common anymore, neither are real media files. Google has got youtube (awful site) but at least they have experience with media such as flash and mp4.

It will just be enough of a Linux kernel and drivers (and windowing system) to run the Chrome browser in its tab-per-process model. The media player will be Chrome, no different than if you run Chrome on Windows.

You won't install any apps. There just needs to be a way to type an URL, and probably a new way to arrange tabs/windows, since that will be the only desktop content.

It's not a matter of trusting your data with Google as the sole provider; it's trusting your data with whichever online service you're using, just as you would running any browser anywhere.

With HTML5 and local storage, you won't have to have a constant internet connection, although you will probably get reduced functionality if you don't.

Open question: will it support external devices like USB drives and cameras? Can you copy files/photos/videos onto the local hard drive? If so, how will they manage them?

 

[iphones4evry1]

Goodbye Microsoft.
The end of an era ..... and the beginning of a new era.

Wait. What? Not so fast, you say? This is only for netbooks and Microsoft is coming out with Windows7 ?

Well ... A LOT will be riding on this Windows7. We shall see.

 

[Santa Rosa]

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.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: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

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.

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.

Why is the exact same quote in there twice Am I missing something?

I see Bongo has come into this thread and irritated people again in a way only he can.

 

[Drinahn]

Did anybody read the google blog post?

They're using a Linux kernel, implementing a windowing system and a browser. Yay.

- okay - I'll admit to not reading beyond page 1 of comments either - I see some people did read the article.

 

[sushi]

Did anybody read the google blog post?

They're using a Linux kernel, implementing a windowing system and a browser. Yay.

Yes.

The issue will be execution. Ideas are one thing. Actual implementation is another.

With the Netbook popularity rising right now, it seems like a good time for Google to bring this new OS out.

 

[Anuba]

Goodbye Microsoft.
The end of an era ..... and the beginning of a new era.

Wait. What? Not so fast, you say? This is only for netbooks and Microsoft is coming out with Windows7 ?

Well ... A LOT will be riding on this Windows7. We shall see.

Windows isn't threatened by this any more than the iPod is threatened by Zune, but I always welcome any initiative to put pressure on M$. The Win7 pricing that was recently announced demonstrates that M$ are still way too complacent and living in a 1990's bubble. They need to slash Win7 prices by 50% (and Vista users victims should get Win7 for a nominal fee á la Snow Leopard).

 

[rockosmodurnlif]

So Android and Chrome OS are going to be very different?

 

[djgamble]

I don't believe in Google.
They've made ONE thing that's good, and that's a search engine. It wasn't even an original/innovative idea, they just made the best algorithms, so gave the best results and cut out all the picture ads... so didn't annoy people as much as Lycos, Excite, Dogpile, Yahoo...etc.

Now they're just the search engine I use... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I seriously doubt they're making billions out of adsense. yeah... a bit of money... but adsense isn't enough to make them the rich company that they are in my opinion. They simply don't need global headquarters in huuuuuuge luxurious buildings around the globe (one in Australia? I'm an Aussie and all I can think is... WHY? How does this help their search engine.)

They're basically a BIG server farm that has spiders crawling the web 24/7 who make a bit of cash out of adsense. They then get multi-billion dollar donations from shareholders who want them to become the next AMAZING new thing. But all they are is a server farm!

YES they have a great search engine... but right now with things like the Android I think they're just trying to make themselves look like a serious company. They're like a MASSIVE startup that has a steady flow of cash in my view...

 

[Hattig]

Also, everything is "MS Word" compatible these days. Google offers an office suite equivalent online. It isn't too bad.

It's appalling, it's quite possibly the worse bit of office software I have ever seen, and that includes Mini Office II on the Amstrad CPC.

 

[DoFoT9]

It's appalling, it's quite possibly the worse bit of office software I have ever seen, and that includes Mini Office II on the Amstrad CPC.

that is your opinion.

 

[MattInOz]

It will just be enough of a Linux kernel and drivers (and windowing system) to run the Chrome browser in its tab-per-process model. The media player will be Chrome, no different than if you run Chrome on Windows.

You won't install any apps. There just needs to be a way to type an URL, and probably a new way to arrange tabs/windows, since that will be the only desktop content.

It's not a matter of trusting your data with Google as the sole provider; it's trusting your data with whichever online service you're using, just as you would running any browser anywhere.

With HTML5 and local storage, you won't have to have a constant internet connection, although you will probably get reduced functionality if you don't.

Open question: will it support external devices like USB drives and cameras? Can you copy files/photos/videos onto the local hard drive? If so, how will they manage them?

Add googles other project Wave which is meant to have a peer to peer server version. It seems like Wave will be the web app platform they push hardest for this OS. So a couple of options you have like google host the data for you (sponsered by ads) you have your own wave server to hold your information. This Google OS may even have a server built in to the underling OS as the file storage.

I guess we need to wait to see how it's set up what options in has and how we fit in our tool chain.

 

[ortuno2k]

I thought Google was a search engine...

 

[SactoGuy18]

If it's something sitting on top of the Linux kernel, I'm not sure if it will be a success.

Given the numerous issues with FULL hardware support in Linux, a Google OS designed around Chrome won't go very far. We're all forgetting that:

1) MacOS X takes full advantage of the hardware built into everything from the Mac Mini all the way up to the Mac Pro.

2) Windows also takes full advantage of the hardware out there. I mean, will Linux support the full functionality of the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium sound card that uses the PCI Express port? The sound card I mentioned has full driver support in Windows XP (SP2 or SP3) and Windows Vista (SP1 or SP2).

3) The potential fears by the FTC and Justice Department that this OS will tie you down to everything related to Google.

 

[dfs]

Even if it works...

Okay, let's suppose that this Google OS does work, let's even suppose it works very well indeed. I still have a problem. I'm being invited to store all my data on the Cloud. But exactly whose Cloud? After all, this requires a certain degree of trust that the proprietor of the Cloud in question is going to respect the privacy of my data. But I seem to recall that Google's track record for respecting the individual privacy of users of their search engine has been a little less than top-notch. As far as I'm concerned, Google is going to have to convince me that it is 100% trustworthy before I'd consider buying into this scheme. So, from their corporate point of view, a massive overhaul of their public image is necessary if they're going to have any hope of floating this deal.

 

[DELLsFan]

"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..."

Oh come on, arn. Have you even tried the Win 7 RC yet? Micro$oft may not have released the most lightweight OS' in the past, but their latest revision is very encouraging; and will be released well before Google's prototype plans to. Despite its shortcomings over the years, Windows has always been relatively "easy to use" and "accessible" to most people. I don't believe Redmond stands to lose as much as you think - especially where Netbook integration is concerned. Win 7 runs beautifully on these machines.

Apple's target market is primarily the one that doesn't mind paying a premium for hardware. Ease of use and accessibility are also the aspirations from Cupertino, but only insofar as it doesn't compromise shareholder return, it seems to me.

 

[talkingfuture]

It's appalling, it's quite possibly the worse bit of office software I have ever seen, and that includes Mini Office II on the Amstrad CPC.

I wouldn't go as far as appalling but, as with most free stuff it certainly isn't as good or as polished as the paid for stuff. Hopefully the OS will be better.

 

[Packersfan27]

Windows isn't threatened by this any more than the iPod is threatened by Zune, but I always welcome any initiative to put pressure on M$. The Win7 pricing that was recently announced demonstrates that M$ are still way too complacent and living in a 1990's bubble. They need to slash Win7 prices by 50% (and Vista users victims should get Win7 for a nominal fee á la Snow Leopard).

I don't see why everyone thinks Vista is so bad! My main operating system is Vista (Don't have the money for a Mac ), and it is a good OS. I haven't had any problems with crashing, but maybe I am a minority? It was a lot better then my experience with XP on my old computer.

Anyway, Google OS, huh, yea. Don't really use anything google except Youtube and search. If this is good I may have to set up a GMail account

 

[dicklacara]

Everything Old Is New, Again...

In my opinion, one of the greatest strengths of an OS is that it recedes into the background to allow the user to focus on the task at hand. To do this most successfully, the OS uses the hardware to exploit the [G]UI, and the [G]UI to exploit the hardware.

The end-result is the user experience: of a simple, intuitive appliance (multi-appliance, if you will).

Why should the user know (or care) whether the applications and content reside in the cloud or on the multi-appliance?

Why should the multi-appliance be cluttered with cruft that the user doesn't need or want?

Because Apple controls the hardware, the [G]UI/OS (and many appliance applications), it is poised to deliver a better multi-appliance (user experience) than those that provide an OS that runs on any flavor of hardware.


The question becomes: Can Apple deliver the multi-appliance?

If it can, then the OS wars will be over for the majority (non-techie/non-professional multi-appliance users).

Here's an interesting flash (cough) from the past:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHzM4avGrKI

If this ad were revised for today's world, it would use an iPhone or iPod Touch, and the "3 easy steps to the Internet" would evolve to: "How to stay in Touch".


Dick

 

[clevin]

it would be a nonstarter if it offers no liveCD/USB.

I hope it does, every piece of linux distroes out there has liveCDs. Google can't expect users to install an fresh new OS before they got a chance to try it.

I know I will be trying it with a liveCD/USB.

Linux compete with windos on netbook from the start, and largely fallen since then, lets see what google can do!

 

[thomasfxlt]

There was a time when Eric Schmidt's participation on Apple's board appeared to make sense but with the continued convergence into common markets (Mobile OS and now standard OS) one has to wonder how this is helpful to Apple and whether the relationship is going to crash and burn or if it's nearing some communion. Apple's decision to build the server farm in NC is an interesting move towards Google's space although they have not publicly stated the specific use of the facility.

It would appear to me that either Apple and Google are going to merge or Eric will be exiting the Apple board soon.

 

[hazmatzak]

With the Netbook popularity rising right now, it seems like a good time for Google to bring this new OS out.

And webapps are close to being there too, with HTML5, faster JavaScript engines, etc. They're targeting a year from now. This definitely would not have worked just a few years ago, never mind the earlier attempts at "thin clients". They've been waiting....

So Android and Chrome OS are going to be very different?

If Android is "just enough Linux" to run Java/Dalvik apps, then Chrome OS is just enough Linux to run Chrome. (Of course, Android also contains a slimmed-down version of Chrome, so these analogies get confusing.)

 

[mysterytramp]

Assuming Google can complete the project rapidly, the recession could play into promoting Chrome OS. Corporations, governments and universities, looking to slash expenses, could use a robust open source netbook OS to justify a shift away from higher-powered (and more expensive) laptops.

And despite the concerns about Google's access to user data, IT managers will know there's a far greater threat to security from morons who leave hardware where it can be stolen. Many IT shops will calculate that it's a smaller security risk to have all data on a central server than stored in some staffer's laptop.

But if the economy bounces back by the time Chrome OS is available, we'll be fat and happy again, overpurchasing hardware.

mt

 

[some12b]

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...

Agreed. Leaving google with my email and calendar is more than enough. Any personal files will stay with me thank you very much. Still be interesting to see the Chrome OS though.

 

[DoFoT9]

Agreed. Leaving google with my email and calendar is more than enough. Any personal files will stay with me thank you very much. Still be interesting to see the Chrome OS though.

am i missing something here??? why will the OS be uploading everything to their servers for them to see??