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Category: Operating systems

Google targets Microsoft Windows with Chrome OS

Yep, it's official, sort of. Google really wants to whack Microsoft with its latest salvo to crack open the Windows juggernaut.

On Wednesday, the tech world was buzzing about Google's announcement of Chrome OS, an open source Linux-based operating system. Basically, Chrome OS will use a Linux kernel with its Chrome Web browser as the graphical user interface. It will run on x86 and ARM processors and will be initially available for netbooks, a growing segment of the notebook computer market featuring compact designs and low prices.

By using a browser as the interface, developers can create web-based applications, similar to what the Palm Pre does with its Web OS. And since these programs are based on Web standards, they will also run on regular Web browsers.

Chrome will be released later this year as open source software, and Chrome OS-based netbooks will follow in the second half of 2010. Google is talks with several manufacturers about building these netbooks.

It seems that Google's attempt grab a piece of Microsoft's Windows marketshare seems misguided, but I think this move is logical because Chrome OS will leverage Google's web applications with its investments in bandwidth and servers.

For example, Gmail, Google Docs and Google Calendar offer online versions that mimic Microsoft's Outlook, Office and Exchange software, respectively. Sure, Google's offerings don't offer as many features as Microsoft's offerings, but most people won't use or care for those extra features. And they work wherever there's a high-speed Internet connection, letting people take their digital life with them.

Also, with Chrome OS, Google is attempting to bring cloud computing to an operating system level. Cloud computing is essentially data and software stored in a "cloud" that allows users to access them wherever they are. Google has lots of bandwidth from years of buying unused dark fiber and lots of custom servers needed to transmit and store cloud data for their Chrome OS users.

However, I think that Google could face a couple of pitfalls with their Chrome OS. Privacy could become an issue. For example, the cloud servers could lose track of users' accounts and accidentally allow users access to other users' files. Earlier this year, some Google Docs users had their documents accidentally shared with other users who didn't receive permission to see those files.

Also, no one's attempted this before, making an operating system completely reliant on a continuous connection to the Internet. What happens if you lose your connection or live in a rural area? After all, high-speed Internet access through Wi-Fi hotspots and 3G cellular access isn't quite everywhere, and dial-up is a joke for Chrome OS.

For Google fans, years of Google PC rumors have finally come true. As long as it doesn't turn into vaporware, a la "Duke Nukem Forever," I think that Microsoft will soon wish Chrome OS had remained a rumor.