barkie 201 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Google is developing an operating system (OS) for personal computers, in a direct challenge to market leader Microsoft and its Windows system. Google Chrome OS will be aimed initially at small, low-cost netbooks, but will eventually be used on PCs as well. Google said netbooks with Chrome OS could be on sale by the middle of 2010. "Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS," the firm said in its official blog. The operating system, which will run on an open source license, was a "natural extension" of its Chrome browser, the firm said. For Microsoft the news comes just months before it launches the latest version of its operating system, called Windows 7. 'Back to basics' "We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Google's engineering director Linus Upson. Both men said that "the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web" and that this OS is "our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be". To that end, the search giant said the new OS would go back to basics. "We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. "It should just work," said Google. Google already has an operating system for mobile phones called Android which can also be used to run on netbooks. Google Chrome OS will be aimed not just at laptops but also at desktops for those who spend a lot of time on the web. "Truly competitive" The announcement could dramatically change the market for operating systems, especially for Microsoft, the biggest player with around 90% share. "This announcement is huge," said Rob Enderle, industry watcher and president of the Enderle Group. "This is the first time we have had a truly competitive OS on the market in years. This is potentially disruptive and is the first real attempt by anyone to go after Microsoft. "Google is coming at this fresh and, because it is based on a set of services that reside on the web, it is the first really post web operating system, designed from the ground up, and reconceived for a web world," Mr Enderle told the BBC. Last year Google launched the Chrome browser, which it said was designed for "people who live on the web - searching for information, checking email, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends." Stephen Shankland at CNET said the move had widespread implications. "One is that it shows just how serious Google is about making the web into a foundation not just for static pages but for active applications, notably its own such as Google Docs and G-mail. "Another: it opens new competition with Microsoft and, potentially, a new reason for anti-trust regulators to pay close attention to Google's moves." Some commentators said Google's motivation in all this was pretty clear. "One of Google's major goals is to take Microsoft out, to systematically destroy their hold on the market," said Mr Enderle. "Google wants to eliminate Microsoft and it's a unique battle. The strategy is good. The big question is, will it work?" At the popular blog, TechCrunch, MG Siegler said "Let's be clear on what this really is. This is Google dropping the mother of all bombs on its rival, Microsoft." Microsoft releases Windows 7 later this year to replace Windows Vista and Windows XP which is eight years old. The Redmond based company claims that 96% of netbooks run Windows to date. Out of beta In a separate announcement Google also revealed that many of its most popular applications had finally moved out of trial, or beta, phase. Gmail, for example, has worn the beta tag for five years. "We realise this situation puzzles some people, particularly those who subscribe to the traditional definition of beta software as being not yet ready for prime time," wrote Matthew Glotzbach, the director of product management in the official Google blog. The decision to ditch the beta tag was taken because the apps had finally reached the "high bar" mark, he wrote. More than 1.75 million companies use Google apps, according to the firm. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottBF2 3,540 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 YAY. Hate Windows Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j1mgg 3,766 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 saw this on bbc this morning, not sure of how much a dent they will make. By the looks of it linux will be the one getting affected. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBoyd 355 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I wonder how many people will trust it, google are a bit dodgy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j1mgg 3,766 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I wonder how many people will trust it, google are a bit dodgy Is this a quote from somewhere or just your opinion? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBoyd 355 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 I wonder how many people will trust it, google are a bit dodgy Is this a quote from somewhere or just your opinion? Just me joking around Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlippinEck 3,510 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Google are going to take over the world Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby 6 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Use Linux. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
radlord 24 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 This is just a version of Linux though, with a Google front end on it. Presumably. There are already similar netbook PCs out there (Dell are the main sellers I think) that have Linux distros on them, so this will be a branding thing more than anything. A lot more people will go for a netbook with the Google logo on it instead of some weird Linux variant. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby 6 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 There are so many GUI'S out there now now, but yeah i agree people don't understand Linux quite yet, and if there is a version with a Google GUI then people will snap it up Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 saw this on bbc this morning, not sure of how much a dent they will make. By the looks of it linux will be the one getting affected. Linux is only really used by experienced knowledgable users....i dont see it giving Linux a run for its money, I see it flopping actually, unless its something really special which can knock Windows off its perch for relibility and easy to use GUI's. the relibility bit shouldn't be too hard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
radlord 24 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 They've just spotted an 'in' to the OS market that MS have had locked tight for years. MS really fucked up with Vista and should have been quicker off the mark with the advent of netbooks. There's a market out there for people who just want a simple OS to browse the web on now and Google will want to grab this and use it as a foothold for any possible market extension of Chrome OS. MS are trying to remedy this with 7 but it's still bloated and too much for simple low power Atom CPU netbooks. it's like a wee chink in their armour I reckon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben dirs 10 Posted July 8, 2009 Share Posted July 8, 2009 Nice to see someone challenging the monopoly! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brissyger 8 Posted July 9, 2009 Share Posted July 9, 2009 No way are they going to challenge Microsoft. Windows is a brand people have been familiar with for well over 10 years. Though people now the brand Google this is still an unproven product so they will still turn to the tried and true. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmo21 15 Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 If there is any company that will produce a "Cyberdyne"-like future, google is it. the Chrome OS is just another windowing system on top of Linux. But unlike others, the Google name will get it some traction Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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