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Google OS is coming  (View post)

hebbet [PersonRank 10]

Wednesday, July 8, 2009
14 years ago14,867 views

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html

Chrome OS in 2010

Caleb E [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

YES. DO WANT.

This would be fantastic for my Eee. I spend 95% of my time on it in full screen chrome anyway.

DPic [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

It'll be interesting. I'm not sure how i feel about it yet. I just don't know how i feel about Google getting into software. I like ther web apps, but i thought as great as they are, android and chrome were stepping out of bounds, and they should invested in existing open source projects. I'm sure it'll be cool though. hmm...

Justin Observor [PersonRank 0]

14 years ago #

Wake up Phillip, your dreams have come true...

TOMHTML [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Google is in lack of buzz. They have so few new things to offer to their users that they are obliged to tease a product that will be launched... in 12 months. At least.

Caleb E [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]DPic But you can't argue with the results. Chrome is amazingly fast and stable. Android brought open source to where it can actually stand a chance of competing with iPhone/WinMo/RIM/Palm.

[put at-character here]TOMHTML It would be much more difficult to keep this all quiet for a year when you have to get other companies – hardware companies – involved. They did this with Android too. I think it's reasonable and not just milking the buzz. Also, they said they plan on releasing the source at the end of this year, so it's less than 12 months away. Hopefully.

Zim [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Interesting..

PierreS [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Next on the whiteboard were the giant laster Googlebots...

James Xuan [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Hmmm... I'm excited about it, but I won't be using it primarily if it's as bad as Android turned out to be. I like the idea of course, it just doesn't do what I want in an OS.

James Xuan [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Wait, what am I saying? I initialy envisioned an Android port, but I've only just realised it's -Chrome- OS! This is going to be great!

I wonder if the netbooks running on Android will instead use this?

Mrrix32 [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

1st thought – W00t! GOOGLE OS
Later thought – It's a Linux distribution that's designed for web browsing.....

I've already got a Linux distro that can browse the web and boots quick enough :/

On the plus side, they're going to want to make the Linux version of Chrome (Browser) the best they can :) And assuming they don't completely F this up, you should be able to install Linux programs as well.

I know I'll end up installing it, mainly because Google's making it

Kirby Witmer [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Robert Scoble says its a timely stunt by Google in an attempt to steal some of the spotlight before what he claims to be a “big announcement” coming from Microsoft on Monday. This could be a very interesting week.

http://www.istartedsomething.com/20090708/putting-together-microsofts-big-announcement-monday/

http://friendfeed.com/scobleizer/3a1eac42/why-did-google-announce-chrome-os-this-week-well

Above 12 comments were made in the forum before this was blogged,

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Sushi5005 at Reddit writes:

<<Normally Google has a working product available by the time they do big announcements on their blog (remember Chrome, Wave etc.). This is more like "hey, here's our strategy, we haven't really thought it through and we have absolutely no partners yet, but you know, our Q2 earnings next week are going to be in the toilet, so we thought maybe...well, off to work, see you in autum, kthxby". Very unusual.>>
http://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/8z6f7/google_officially_announces_chrome_os/

(“As a rule, we don’t preannounce new features.”
-- Eric Schmidt, Google, 2002, http://archives.cnn.com/2002/TECH/internet/02/01/interview.eric.schmidt.idg/)

RC [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Finally.. Just what I need.. Give me a 7" touchscreen with Chrome OS for under $500 for this Christmas and you have a ground breaking winner.

webhush [PersonRank 0]

14 years ago #

Google Is Already Working With PC Makers on New Chrome OS. Chrome is nothing less than a full on desktop operating system that will compete head on with Windows¿Expect to see millions of web devices, even desktop web devices

http://www.webhush.com/google-operating-system-takes-microsoft/

James Xuan [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Can I install Firefox?

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

> Give me a 7" touchscreen with Chrome OS for under $500
> for this Christmas and you have a ground breaking winner.

CrunchPad anyone? This would make an ideal OS:

http://cache0.techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/cdba.jpg

http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/06/03/crunchpad-the-launch-prototype/

/pd [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Tony, yes a chorme pad is neat'o.. however how much of your data are you willing to keep on the google cloud ??

Mrrix32 [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]James
It's Linux based so presumably yes... that doesn't mean that they're going to make it easy :)

Libran Lover [PersonRank 4]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]James & @Mrrix32,

What makes you guys think that you can't install Firefox or that they will not make it easy. Even Microsoft never made it tough to install an alternate browser. And I'm sure Google has learned a lesson or two from Microsoft's anti-trust woes.

LL

Mrrix32 [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]Libran Lover
If Google wants to concentrate on making an OS to run web apps, then they might want to discourage the use of desktop applications.

MZaza [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

I think Google Chrome OS would be perfect for computers in Libraries, Universities maybe Net Cafes or for some special purpose computers but not for general use maybe that's where Android is going to come.

WebSonic.nl [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]Phillip (“As a rule, we don’t preannounce new features.”)

Or, "We don't have any plans to build an operating system," Marissa Mayer, vice president of search products and user experience, said on Wednesday during in an call-in show, KQED's Forum with Michael Krasny.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9927046-7.html

I'm excited about this step and what it will do to the dominant position of Microsoft and the upcoming Windows 7. If Chrome is really that fast and good what I expect it could have a nice impact on Microsoft.

Stefan [PersonRank 0]

14 years ago #

I think it's a logical step from google's side. Chrome doesn't seem to gain traction so they'll try to copy microsofts strategy and ship the browser with an OS. I don't know if it'll work for them though, it works for ms because of their os marketshare.

WebSonic.nl [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

The new blog? of someone just registered fast,

chrome-os.blogspot.com

[Unlinked – Tony]

Tony Ruscoe [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Given their profile, I think it's just a chancer:
http://www.blogger.com/profile/18324901551824574027

Kirby Witmer [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Personally, I think this is really over hyped.

mbegin [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

From the official Google announcement:

<< They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. >>

...So I guess GDrive will probably be an important product for Google's OS!

Alex Ksikes [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Interesting how they announce it before Microsoft announce theirs... Maybe a way of saying we thought of it first.

mbegin [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

>> Interesting how they announce it before Microsoft announce theirs... Maybe a way of saying we thought of it first.

Microsoft is announcing their Office Web application though, not an OS.

TOMHTML [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

I'm completely amazed by "chancers", as Tony call them, who took so many names already.
Even the subdomaine chromeoperatingsystem is registred, Ionut might be jealous ^^

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

I'm not. "Google OS" has always been for me just a metaphor, not the name of a real product.

DPic [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]TOMHTML http://blogoscoped.com/forum/157078.html#id157082
Agreed.

[put at-character here]Caleb E http://blogoscoped.com/forum/157078.html#id157086
Yes, as i stated, "as great as they are", i'm still iffy.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

A bit early for that:

http://blogoscoped.com/files/google-chrome-os-download.png

Alex Ksikes [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]mbegin I was referring to http://www.ithinkdiff.com/gazelle-a-chrome-like-web-browser-from-microsoft-research/

Roger Browne [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

> They want their data to be accessible to them wherever
> they are and not have to worry about losing their computer
> or forgetting to back up files.

Instead, they will have to worry about losing access to their account and being unable to prove to Google that their data belongs to them.

Roger Browne [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

I think this is a momentous announcement – not because of what it means for Google/MS rivalry, but because of the technical details. Google OS will use a Linux kernel, but not the KDE or Gnome desktops, and probably not even X11, but something tightly controlled and close-to-the-metal.

That means we're looking at the transition of computing from tech devices to appliances. Google OS may be less general-purpose than Windows/Linux/OSX but it will be easier to setup, faster, more secure and more robust. The commitment to the ARM architecture alongside x86 opens up the possibility of all-day battery operation.

There will still be plenty of people who are going to want Windows for Photoshop, or Linux to run a webserver, but for the netbook user this is a wonderful development.

Q [PersonRank 2]

14 years ago #

Chromium's source code contains some Chrome OS-specific stuff, marked 'LINUX2':

http://www.google.com/codesearch?hl=en&lr=&q=LINUX2+package:"http://src.chromium.org/svn/trunk/src"

For example, work has started on a 'tab overview button', which will probably toggle a more advanced display for switching tabs in the OS.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

From a Chrome OS FAQ that's been posted:
http://chrome.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-chrome-os-faq.html

<<*Is Google Chrome OS free?*
Yes – Google Chrome OS is an open source project and will be available to use at no cost.

*What companies is Google working with to support Google Chrome OS?*
The Google Chrome OS team is currently working with a number of technology companies to design and build devices that deliver an extraordinary end user experience. Among others, these companies include Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba.

*I'm a developer – how can I work with you?*
Thanks for your interest. Later this year, the Google Chrome OS code will be open sourced. We're looking forward to working with the open source community and making our own small contribution to the great work being done out there. Please stay tuned.>>

Cormac [PersonRank 3]

14 years ago #

This is built with Chrome browser as an integral part of the interface – as far as I can tell it will not run without it. Are they not risking the same anti-trust charges Microsoft currently face here in Europe?

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

[put at-character here]Cormac:

No, because Google is not a dominant player in the OS market. Besides, the OS is open-source and the browser is standard-compliant. Microsoft was accused of abusing its dominant position in the OS market to push a browser that ignored web standards and forced webmasters to create web pages "optimized for IE", that didn't work well in other browsers.

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

> Microsoft was accused of abusing its
> dominant position in the OS market to push
> a browser that ignored web standards and forced webmasters
> to create web pages "optimized for IE"

Hmm... back in the late 1990s, around the time of the monopoly case, Internet Explorer was far more standardized than its main competition, i.e. when comparing IE4 (a bit later IE5) with horribly-broken-CSS-support Netscape 4. Well, over the years things changed a bit, and IE didn't progress much while other browsers became more and more standards compliant.

Ionut Alex. Chitu [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

IE was also free, unlike its competitors.

"Also, it doesn't hurt that Internet Explorer is free; Navigator carries a $49 price tag. (Netscape does gives volume discounts for large purchases of the browser, but the company is also raising the price of Communicator to $59.) " (CNet, 1997)

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Does that mean Google is more likely to get into legal trouble, because they release OS and browser for free?

Roger Browne [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

Microsoft didn't get into trouble for releasing an OS and browser for free. They got into trouble for anticompetitive tactics such as having better pricing for those who agreed not to install competitive software on the machines they sold.

But there will be plenty of people watching Google very closely for one wrong step...

Q [PersonRank 2]

14 years ago #

Looking further at the source code, there will be a control panel hosted at http://localhost:8080/. The browser still uses the same GTK+ backend as used in the other Linux version, so it seems likely that finishing and releasing Chrome on Linux is a priority right now.

Q [PersonRank 2]

14 years ago #

"Friend of Lifehacker and Quicksilver/QSB developer Nicholas Jitkoff is one of the folks at Google working on Chrome OS, and we've heard that he plans on integrating something Quicksilver-like into the OS, so that's at least something that Quicksilver, Launchy, and Ubiquity geeks like us can get excited about."

http://lifehacker.com/5309937/nine-must+have-features-we-want-to-see-in-a-google-os

Philipp Lenssen [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

My friend sent me this from a German forum:

<<From The Creators Of Chrome Browser (0.003% Market Share): The New Blockbuster

........Chrome OS*..........

* Editing, Camera, Stunts, Production, Casting, Directed by: Linux
   Make-up And Visual Effects: Google>>

Roger Browne [PersonRank 10]

14 years ago #

> 0.003% Market Share

Chrome seems to be scoring one to two percent at mainstream websites. I'm seeing Chrome at 4.6% at Uclue and 3.2% at Quezi.

Even one percent is excellent initial penetration into an entrenched market. Opera took years to get to that level, and now Chrome has easily overtaken it.

Anyway, here's an article from September 2008 which I think is interesting in retrospect:

Google Launches Cloud OS 'Chrome' and calls it a Browser
http://www.businessinsider.com/2008/9/google-chrome-browser-takes-page-out-of-microsoft-book-link-and-lever

Here's an extract from that article:

In a couple of years, you won't be downloading Google's "browser." You'll be downloading "Google's software"... Specifically, you'll be working within a Google software environment that works sort of like Windows that will include:

   * Browser
   * Google Gears (offline and online apps, including email, messaging, chat, etc.)
   * Google desktop search
   * Google Earth
   * Open source development platform
   * etc.

The software will be seamlessly integrated, and it will make Google's (and other) online apps, games, etc. richer and simpler to use, especially if/when you're offline. It will feature a Google search window... It will be capable of running directly on any device without Windows. Unlike Windows, it will be free. And it will come pre-loaded--just like Windows--because who really wants to bother with downloading.

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