Google to create new Chrome OS

[somabc]

Google finally going to launch their own Web focused OS initially for netbooks (x86 & ARM). To be based off the Linux Kernel with a new windowing system.



Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS
BBC NEWS | Technology | Google to launch operating system

[jamesb]

Oh goodie. Now they can put advertising on our computers even when we're not browsing the net. What joy.

I think I'll be avoiding this one.

[Potato-Peeler]

So Ubuntu with a big google background and icon on the apps launcher? Maybe an advert bar at the top?
Going to be so awesome!
Not

[somabc]

Well it should be much faster if they are not using X-Windows, plus there will be only one app - 'Chrome'. All applications will run in the browser!

[Theblacksheep]

I look forward to the SRware version.

[tmcd35]

I read that it won't be supporting third party web api's - so no flash, java, silverlight, etc. All apps must be AJAX. So I guess they are counting on HTML5 competing well in the flash/silverlight space?

@jamesb - What do you mean - "not browsing the net" - As far as google are concerned if you're using a computer you're browsing the net. I mean what else are computers for?

[CyberNerd]

I already run google's linux based operating system (android). I don't get any adverts on it.

[webman]

Sounds good, look forward to seeing it in action.

[Michael]

The competition is great and it could possibly force Microsoft to sell Windows cheaper. Depends how good Chrome OS will be.

[tmcd35]

Unless there is a huge paradigm shift towards Cloud Computing and Network Appliances, ChromeOS will not compete with Windows. Remember, according to early reports, ChromeOS will be little more than a bootable web browser. To compete with Windows Google will have to make some compelling killer apps available in the Cloud.

[enjay]

To compete with Windows Google will have to make some compelling killer apps available in the Cloud.

A web browser and Google Apps would satisfy the needs of a large number of people; not everyone, of course, but enough that such a product could become a serious candidate. I'm sure we're a long way off PC World selling their computers pre-loaded with Chrome though!

[Galway]

I read the BBC article.

Its basically a bootable browser, with all apps running on googles server farms and so requires a internet connection to function.

Based on those facts, and the obvious nature in which google uses such stored information to push adverts and gain financial reward from the data stored on its servers I think I have made my mind up.

Questions such as Will sims run on it? Is the data security acceptable etc are a joke.

Even netbooks have a use off the internet. With no central management I can imagine only a small minority being interested in such a beast. With the various flavours of linux available I think even this minority being well catered for.

When I saw the headline I was expecting so much more, and image Microsoft laughed their socks off when they heard this ground trembler of a story break.

BBC NEWS | Business | Charge of Google's light brigade

[originofsymmetry]

Terrible tbh.

I'm sure there would be a fair amount of advertising going on, remembering that Google is afterall a business. I they aren't charging for this 'OS' then how will they make their money?

[Theblacksheep]

The giant cloud toolbar.

Nice little piece from El Reg:
Google's vanity OS is Microsoft's dream ? The Register

"The idea of a desktop running a thin OS served by the cloud is fine - until you want to do image processing, or make music or videos. You do realise there's more to a PC than updating your Facebook profile, right?"

As for adverts - its not about seeing adverts in the traditional sense, its about tracking and information gathering. Which chrome does very well, but this should be on a different level.

[CyberNerd]

Terrible tbh.

I'm sure there would be a fair amount of advertising going on, remembering that Google is afterall a business. I they aren't charging for this 'OS' then how will they make their money?

They sell their services to business.
as I posted earlier, I have a google OS. It integrates really well with all the things I use -email, youtube, search, calendar.
I don't pay for their service as I uses it non-commercially. If I wanted my (non-edu) company to use googles services then they would make money out of it. I'd have a contract and be content that they would honor it and not sell my commercial secrets! or loose my data.
The vast majority of business users do nothing more than calendaring, email, office documents and websites. Google provides all this and is a good place to go if you want your business noticed by their searches.