On July 8th, Google announced that it will be launching its own operating system to compete with Microsoft in 2010. The system will be LINUX based, but there aren’t a whole lot of answers out there – mainly speculations. They are not alone. We have our own questions we’d like to know about this new operating system. Here is a list of five things we want to know about Google Chrome OS. If you have any more information, please feel free to add to this post.
What is Google up to? Google has been going after Microsoft for years now. This is just the latest in its ongoing series to make Microsoft crumble. Look at the free software such as Gmail and Google Docs. These are web based, web sharing applications. Now, with Google’s Chrome OS, even the operating system you are using their programs on will belong to Google and not Microsoft.
Will the new Google Chrome OS be free? Everything else Google does is free, will this new OS be free as well. We can only assume that it will be since it is built on top of a LINUX kernel, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t follow along. Google made no mention to this in its statement, but they did say it will be available to third party vendors. Hmm?
Will Google Chrome be open source? Once again, it is built on an open source platform, so one could assume that people will be able to add to the system. The problem arises then if Google will be able to weed out the crap from the really good stuff.
Will Google Chrome surpass Microsoft? Umm…Probably not. First off, they have to persuade people to come off the Microsoft bandwagon. If disasters like Vista and Millennium operating systems didn’t start a mass exodus to Macs and LINUX, it is highly unlikely that you will see it happening when Chrome comes to town. But then again, it is Google – a name people use and trust. They may have a better chance than other LINUX-based operating systems.
So what is Google’s angle? Microsoft holds the keys to the operating system empire. While Macs have been threatening Microsoft for the past few years with its kitschy commercials, and the “nerd herd” is in love with LINUX, how does Google intend to bypass the Microsoft empire? Here’s a thought: If they offer the system for free – and because they haven’t answered the question of how much it will cost – means that the way we buy computers may be cheaper. Google has the advertising dollars to make this a success and they can afford to offer Chrome OS as a loss leader until they can make everyone know that they exist. It’s going to be a very interesting year.
Related posts:
#1 by Layla Cook on April 27th, 2010
I have tried using Chrome OS in one of my desktop PC’s, the overall performance is above average to excellent *