Google joins battle with Microsoft with Chrome operating system

[AdrianH]

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/...cle6665703.ece

Google is to launch a new operating system, in its most direct challenge yet to the dominance of Microsoft.

Google Chrome OS will be a development of its Chrome web browser. The search giant initially aims to install the new system on small, low-cost computers known as netbooks, which are currently outselling more powerful personal computers. Google said that it believed the software would eventually be used on PCs as well.

The move is likely to intensify the rivalry between Google and Microsoft, whose Windows operating system is used on the majority of the world’s personal computers. Operating systems help to run and control the basic functions of a computer.

Google said that the project was a “natural extension” of its Chrome browser and was necessary because older operating systems were designed at a time when the internet did not exist.......... (more)

Whoopie , more compatibilty issues to worry about.

[Caddyman]

very cool, can't wait to see what develops from it.

[Xencored]

Originally Posted by Caddyman

very cool, can't wait to see what develops from it.

Yea Same here this could be good

[NakedAlien]

All I can say is good luck google, good luck :P

[Speculation]

It will be interesting to see what Google comes out with. Not to mention the potential attempt at a hostile take over as a result of this.

Either way, compatibility issues or no, whatever google can come up with is bound to be better than the disaster that was vista.

[Reycer]

if their operating system crashes as much as their Broswer does, it's won't be worth it's weight in paper.

[KTBleeding]

Originally Posted by mdelcour

if their operating system crashes as much as their Broswer does, it's won't be worth it's weight in paper.

Yes, because Windows and IE both have such a low crash rate that it's worth paying hundreds of dollars for their software over something that's, you know, free?

Windows is the most unstable widely used OS.. I'm sure that Chrome won't be 100% stable, but I'd be willing to put money on it that it would crash a lot less often than Windows does.

[Zachery]

Originally Posted by KTBleeding

Yes, because Windows and IE both have such a low crash rate that it's worth paying hundreds of dollars for their software over something that's, you know, free?

Windows is the most unstable widely used OS.. I'm sure that Chrome won't be 100% stable, but I'd be willing to put money on it that it would crash a lot less often than Windows does.

Where did you get this "most unstable widly used OS". Because I've had more lockups in OSX over the past 5 years than I have in windows.

[RedeemedWarrior]

Originally Posted by Zachery

Where did you get this "most unstable widly used OS". Because I've had more lockups in OSX over the past 5 years than I have in windows.

i agree i run 6 windows pc's, most used every day, some for 12 hours aday and i get about 1 lockup a year, i've never got this "windows crashes" stuff

IE 7 however did crash alot, hence why i use FF

[Wayne Luke]

Google doesn't have an chance of gaining market share against Microsoft with their stated plans.

1) Its going to be a netbook operating system. Netbooks today primarily run on Linux. Microsoft is just entering the market with a customized version of XP.

2) All applications on their Chrome OS, are going to be web-based. This makes the device worthless if you don't have an internet connection. Unlike Linux or XP based machines.

3) They'll be eating into their own sales with the lackluster sales of Android, which is designed to be a phone and netbook OS. It only has a small portion of the market right now as it is with less than a million units. Compared to 20 million iPhones, 20 million Windows Mobile units and 10 million Blackberry devices sold last year. Not to mention competition from Palm, LG and Samsung.

4) They'll need to ink deals with netbook suppliers. Dell and HP already use Linux and XP, while the others use Linux. They will need to have something extraordinary out of the gate to have the netbooks work with the software on the market or they won't get hardware deals.

5) At least initially, you won't be able to download this OS freely. It will come as part of a hardware package. Nothing stifles sales of an OS more than hardware bundling. Ask Apple about how hardware bundling with their OS has allowed them to achieve market domination.

6) Google can't even get plugins working in the Chrome Browser. I don't know how they think they will pull off a viable online application store.

7) We're probably 5 years away before the Chrome OS is viable on a PC. Long time to market. During that time, Windows 7, Linux and OSX will continue to improve. While Google's Chrome OS will be languishing on a platform that accounts for less than 1% of total PC sales worldwide.

I know Google walks on water, eats ambrosia and drinks mead with the gods but I feel they are spreading themselves too thin and there are already hints of a federal anti-trust investigation being started on them. Only time will tell but I don't think their current plan will hurt Microsoft in the least.