| Saaket Unadkat – Blog

Google Chrome OS – My Viewpoint

// July 8th, 2009 // OS's, TechBytes

Awesome. I’ve read countless number of times all over the World Wide Web that the only thing where Google is yet to foray into is the world of Operating Systems. Many people had predicted that the day was not too far. And not surprisingly, a formal announcement from Google came in yesterday on the official Google blog. It will be quite interesting to see what the guys at Google think an OS should be like. And also, it has been named after their quite successful browser, Chrome.

The Google Chrome OS may sound as a challenge to Microsoft’s domination over the Operating System market for years (And largely challenged by Apple, about 10-11%). Also, since they claim it is going to be Open Source, is it going to be enough to dethrone good ol’ Ubuntu ? The blog states :

“Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web.”

They wont give any more details for now. We have to wait and watch. The announcement gives rise to a few questions in my mind.

• Pricing – Windows – $199 onwards; Snow Leopard – $29; Ubuntu – Free; Chrome ???
• Compatibility – Will it create a new market for Chrome based apps like the surge of Mac versions of Windows apps and vice versa ?
  • Also, since most Google products dont allow a developer platform, will Chrome OS differ, because it is Open Source ?
• Another major would be hardware requirement, minimum specs etc.
• Google Wave could probably revolutionize email and social networking as we know it. Can Chrome do something similar? I doubt.
• Since they say it will have limited features. What will be left out ?

Again, the number of people that might actually adopt the Chrome OS seems few, if not very few. People may try it for getting a feel and may even use it as a secondary OS. Google has, so far dominated over Microsoft as far as the internet is concerned. What Bing does, only time can tell. But, I prefer to see what Google has in store for us. Possibilities are loads. Go surprise us Google.

As I finish writing, “Will it kill Windows is trending on Twitter.” Nice.

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