Google Announces a Shiny New OS, Based on Chrome

[reghakr]

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is likely downing a ton of aspirin this morning, as Google has announced that it is developing a PC operating system based on its Chrome browser. Unlike Microsoft’s current OS (Vista) and upcoming one (7), it will be all shiny and new (like Chrome!), not full of legacy code.

Snarky comments about aside, many have tried to loosen Microsoft’s hold on PC operating systems, and failed. Of course, this is Google, and if anyone can do it, it’s Google. The new OS: the Google Chrome Operating System.

More....

 

[Night Hawk]

You'll likely find a few other threads on this as well since a new forum has already been started up apparently. The title of this thread should have been "Clash of the Titans" as another blog puts it. Google v Microsoft: Clash of the titans | The Economist | 1913 Intel

 

[YupYup]

Not only other threads on this but a whole other forum was started for it. The Chrome OS Forums (searching before posting is always a good thing)

 

[reghakr]

Nice catches,

Good reading

 

[Night Hawk]

Not only other threads on this but a whole other forum was started for it. The Chrome OS Forums (searching before posting is always a good thing)

I've been rather busy elsewhere lately. So far with a a few quick glances it looks good!

Gee? Now to see if you can run the new Chrome OS on the Virtual PC beta for a look since I don't use netbooks.

 

[reghakr]

For those who aren't familiar........

This ste may help you better understand it.

Giz Explains: What the Hell's Google Chrome OS?

 

[Legacy Code]

The Chrome OS Forums

Dont be shy join the forum

 

[Night Hawk]

The Chrome OS Forums

Dont be shy join the forum

I've already been there a few times already!

 

[Scotteq]

I've developed a rather negative opinion of the thing so far - Kind replies and real information to the contrary appreciated...


Now - From what I understand: It's an unnamed Linux distro, pared down to the absolute minimum needed to run the Chrome browser.

Will Google OS reset desktop expectations?

Anand sound off, as well: AnandTech and include a rather key sentence:

The single most important thing to take from this announcement right now is just what Chrome OS will do. It won’t run an email client, it won’t run an office suite, and it won’t run games – it will only run Google Chrome. It’s Linux stripped to the bone, left with just enough to run Chrome, and nothing more.

So... If the task you want to do can't run in a browser, then it can't run at all... And therefore your applications AND PERSONAL DATA would have to be hosted somewhere on the Internet. And ostensibly under Googles's control, since they would be the natural/default choice for said hosting. Plus Browser based "security" <shudder>

Hmmm... Don't Google make their money by selling the information they collect/mine about people's online behavior to advertisers/whoever is willing to pay the going rates? Don't Google use this information themselves to better target people for said advertising?

I beg pardon if the Tinfoil hat is obscuring my vision/judgment but this one bears a rather unpleasant odour to me, and on the face of things I'm greatly... disinclined... to allow any such thing on one of my computers.


A more charitable view might be something along the lines of a very lightweight tool aimed at the Netbook/Mobile crowd. But I can't think of anything off the top of my head this would be good for that I can't already do on my cellular phone.


Contrary opinions/Facts? Blessings/Thanks in advance for level headed responses.

 

[Night Hawk]

Google has a lot on the plate with this one for sure! It's not so much an unnamed Linux distro since that falls under the GNU there but tends to be based on the UNIX platform to some extent.

The real difference right off is you are not installing anything locally which is why it would be something seen for the Netbook/web based platform there. Here I would simply be interested in setting it up on a Virtual environment for the look there since it will need quite a bit more before it could reach the desktop stage.