Google Announces Chrome Operating System For Netbooks

[FOXECHO]

The first shot in the Google Microsoft OS war has been fired. Looking at Google's initial plans and ideas for implementation of the new OS, it's pretty clear that it will be years before Google's new open source OS is anywhere near a Microsoft competitor. But this announcement is clearly a shot across the bow of Microsoft, letting them know that change is coming. For years Microsoft has been sitting comfortably with its leading desktop market share. This isn't just a Microsoft problem however. Sure, all OS developers both open source and proprietary have been bringing innovative ideas to computer users for years. Google, however, is looking to the future beyond the immediate future and planning to bring application development to the web where it dominates.

Google's new Chrome OS will run on a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. What they are hoping that will mean is a fast, lightweight environment with minimal user interface bloat to help with start up speeds and application launches. A big problem faced by today's desktop developers as they try to balance speed with usability. The plan is to develop native web-based application support so that existing web apps will work automatically. Moving the development platform to the web and allowing programmers to write apps in their favorite web technology of choice. The first programming languages the geeks of tomorrow learn in school today are usually web based. So this will position Google's OS nicely for favoritism from the up and coming programmers who are already familiar with web development. And of course these applications will still run on any Windows, Mac, or Linux based operating system that has a browser -- because it's web based.

Google stressed that this project is completely separate from Android, Google's mobile OS. However, it is still being designed for people who spend most of their time on the web and want to access their email and other web applications quickly without all the bloat. But make no mistake, Google isn't planning to develop this OS for a specific lightweight hardware set. It is in fact "being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems". Google is promising to try and deliver an OS that helps ensure your computer runs just as fast now as the day you bought it. A common complaint from users who, after years data storage, deletions, and software process additions find their computers running noticeably slower than before. Could this be the beginning of true global internet cloud computing. Time will tell. But for now it certainly looks like Google is looking beyond having your operating system do all the work on it's own. If this thing does go in that direction I'll give you one guess as to what company has the infrastructure and know how already in place to host web applications for users around the world. It starts with a G and ends in oogle.

So what does this mean for gamers?

The obvious question here is where does this leave processor, RAM, and graphics intensive gaming applications and the gamers who love them. Microsoft has a virtual stranglehold on the desktop gaming market since most game developers develop games primarily for Windows (after consoles). The thing is, as more and more game titles become interactive online multiplayer/web based games this fits right into Google's plan perfectly. There is even an exciting new market emerging for online First Person Shooter (FPS) games. They are primarily web based and usually involve the user downloading some sort of plugin to play. The graphics are not too shabby and are quickly catching up if not surpassing some of the second tier paid games. And oh yeah, by the way, these games happen to be free to download and play. Open source anyone?

It's not clear if this will be just a flash in the plan Google project as some of its less than successful projects have been in the past. But one thing is certain, Google has positioned itself with this move to truly shake up the OS world if they plan this just right. So break out your popcorn folks. This epic saga is just beginning.

Read more about Google's Chrome operating system project in their own words here.

[Tyleh]

I can't wait to see where this goes. I don't like Microsoft's monopoly over everything, but I think I'll wait on this one for now.

[start]

I think Google has a chance to compete against Microsoft. However, I'm having trouble understanding how it's going to be anything more than a enhanced browser.

[FOXECHO]

That's a good point start. If you look at what they're doing and think about it, it's just an operating system that's really all one big browser.

[DoubleTap]

Like you said it's going to be years before we see anythign useful out of thsi though.

In the mean time it's "meh" for me.

[the3vilgenius]

Every competitiion is good for all of us. It makes them try harder so we all benefit. Go google !!!

[diggs]

It's not just about Google vs. Microsoft. They also have to compete against Linux. I think it's too early to speculate or judge what the operating system will have and what do we need from it. I know Google will take their time and will probably have some really cool features. However, it won't be perfect and will need various bug fixes, etc.