Google admits it is making its own OS

John Carl Villanueva
08 July 2009, 9:30 PM


Send to a friend Print

Google has announced via a blog post that it is working on "Chrome OS", an OS designed to take Linux on the desktop mainstream.


When Google came up with its revolutionarily minimalist browser, users took notice of one thing - its breathtaking speed. Web sites that took forever to load would be shown to you in nearly a blink of an eye. Now, Google's setting their sights on the OS market with yet another revolutionary creation.  

apcmag.com on Google Chrome (We know... that's just the browser)

The Google Chrome OS is designed to carry the same trademark qualities that made its browser namesake so popular - speed, simple, secure. Alright, we're not claiming that Chrome (the browser) is more secure than Firefox or even Internet Explorer. But security is a quality that folks at Google are touting the OS will surely have ... and we just thought it would fit nicely there.  

Speed and simplicity is very doable, considering what they've done with their browser. Regarding security, that's easy to imagine as well since they aim to make the Web the platform and applications written on web-based technologies. Web-based apps are undoubtedly less susceptible to viruses than desktop-based ones.  

Powered by a Linux kernel, Google Chrome OS is slated to run on x86 and ARM chips. Thus, it's kind of many notches higher than Android. While Android was initially designed for mobile devices, which eventually spread to netbooks, Chrome OS is designed for netbooks and up; meaning, desktops.  

This breakthrough is a dream come true for those who just love the extreme portability of netbooks. Remember that web-based apps are less draining on resources and energy than their desktop-based cousins. With this new OS plus the applications that run on it, imagine how much longer your netbooks can run this time. If the news of that 25-hour netbook was received with much skepticism, this new development will make that a reality. 

By the way, they're going to throw it into the open source arena, so that's something hackers can look forward to at the end of this year - their scheduled release for the code. End users will have to wait a little while longer, as netbooks that will run Google Chrome OS won't be available until the second half of next year. 


Post your comment



Comments

 RSS feed Email alert

McBanjo (New user):

Very interesting. But Google does go down sometimes you know? They're relying a lot on the cloud. Some might say a little too much?

Unless it's as functional and easy-to-use as Mac, or as compatible as Windows, this is just going to be a new Linux. A very popular Linux no doubt, but still a Linux - along with a Linux market share. This netbook domination had better happen soon if they want in, Apple's tablet isn't that far away. But I suppose someone's gotta fill that price-sensitive section of the market.

09 July 2009, 12:48 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

I can't see Google's Linux taking too much of the market away from Linux. Most Linux users will want more than a simple OS can offer.

09 July 2009, 9:42 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Aubrey (New user):

Internet = Web = Browser = Personal Desktop

This is great (IMO). The actual OS becomes irrelevant (and free). Applications are embedded in the desktop experience. The Cloud becomes the HardDisk.

No major manufacturer or retailer will be able to resist Google-logic and MS can still dominate the traditional desktop while it lasts.

I have found that working on a netbook changes the way I see the web and the computer - gmail, googledocs, igoogle and other webapps like Drupal, Wikis etc. have replaced almost all my stand-alone apps. Online storage, on either corporate or personal servers, is replacing my /home folder. And I increasingly setup my desktop computers to work the same way.

I'd love to be a fly-on-the-wall in Steve Balmer's office this week.

Go Google!

(But if they get 20% market share, I'm switching to BSD)

09 July 2009, 9:53 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (User):

Quoting Aubrey:
This is great (IMO). The actual OS becomes irrelevant (and free). Applications are embedded in the desktop experience. The Cloud becomes the HardDisk.

I'd agree it is a good thing, a good thing to have another serious player offering other choices.


Quoting Aubrey:
and MS can still dominate the traditional desktop while it lasts.

The traditional desktop is not going away any time soon or in the foreseeable future. Data storage obviously will become more server centric but there remains many tasks that wont be handled well across any cloud. And of course there is the problem of trying to move large volumes of data across low capacity mediums. Even if Sen Conroy's vapour-ware fibre network ever happens it is unlikely to offer the speed/bandwidth needed and of course there is the little issue of cost.


Quoting Aubrey:
I have found that working on a netbook changes the way I see the web and the computer

There will be a lot more change in the way people work. Demands for better efficiency and collaboration will see low cost, low energy hardware and net centric applications becoming the logical business choices.


Quoting Aubrey:
I'd love to be a fly-on-the-wall in Steve Balmer's office this week.

Insect fetishes aside I don't see Google OS as Microsoft's biggest problem, their main problems are of their own creation not anything generated by a competitor. How and if they can adapt will dictate their position in coming years.


Quoting Aubrey:
But if they get 20% market share, I'm switching to BSD

isn't that a router OS ? :>


09 July 2009, 10:57 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Ooooooooaaaaa I kind of feel all warm and fuzzy and protected now that I have a new security blanket :) Hi guys what's happening :) Hope everything is going well for you all.

09 July 2009, 11:43 AM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Aubrey (New user):

Love it. Soon we'll all have one of those!

09 July 2009, 2:34 PM (2 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Not signed in
anonymous user Anonymous user