Oh hell, it just got real real.
In a direct challenge to Microsoft, Google announced late Tuesday that it is developing an operating system for PCs based on its Chrome Web browser.
…
“Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS,” said Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Linus Upson, engineering director, in a post on a company blog. “We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the Web in a few seconds.”
Some tech details direct from Google:
Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips and we are working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year. The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. For application developers, the web is the platform. All web-based applications will automatically work and new applications can be written using your favorite web technologies. And of course, these apps will run not only on Google Chrome OS, but on any standards-based browser on Windows, Mac and Linux thereby giving developers the largest user base of any platform.
I wonder if this might nudge Apple even more to move into the netbook space.
Some guys have already got a version of OS X working on netbooks:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Apple/?p=2647
It would be nice if Apple finally got into the netbook business. I like my Aspire One running a dual boot with Linux and Windows. Sadly, this is the first time that Windows is more stable than Linux on any of my systems, ever. From my experience with Android, I am sure Google Chrome OS will make up for this.
Apparently the Dell Mini 9 ran OS X beautifully and easily, but I believe Dell stopped selling it..
http://i.gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackintosh-a-dell-mini-9-into-the-ultimate-os-x-netbook
I would’ve bought one just to do this, but that damn thing is just too small, and the larger Dell netbooks don’t work well..
Why would more competition bring apple into the netbook space? If anything it will nudge them further OUT. Architecturally the OS sounds similar to OSX – a unix kernel, without the X11 mess. I just hope they use a standard glibc, unlike Android.
Why, for day-to-day routine living, should I carry a netbook when my iPhone does everything I need in portable/mobile computing?
When I *do* need a laptop, I use our spiffy little ASUS 7″ (when you’re 6′6″ tall you really don’y have any compensation issues, ya know?).
The Xandros distro is fine by me. It’s a distro I would give to me sainted mudder. That other stuff? Winderz mindset derivatives.
The writeup reminds me of what was passed around internally at Sun some years ago re: JavaOS—a project that never really got off the ground (in part due to issues inherent in Java, as the coders here could likely attest to)…’fast, lightweight, secure…’
Brings back memories…..
If this performs as promised, and I pray it does, M$ might feel the pinch in the handheld and netbook markets….
I don’t even own a Mac (yet) but I don’t see any reason why they need to get into the netbook market. Like aginghippie said, the iPhone is basically a small netbook. I’d own one if it wasn’t on that ass-sucking carrier AT&T (Their 3G coverage is a freaking joke). With the latest one offering video and a better camera plus all of the apps, why would anybody need a netbook?
Also, netbooks are truly a fad. As smartphones get smarter and full sized laptops get cheaper, we’ll see less and less offerings for netbooks.
Finally, more than two choices for the majority of people.
Hopefully now we won’t have to wait 3-5 years everytime Microsoft decides to improve their software.
I seriously don’t think people would stick with Windows when they truly see all of the different options out there.
I have a 10″ asus running xp that I bought to run my way cool navigation program for my boat. I initially bought it for the small footprint and small power draw. The full size desktop I had for my boat took up too much room and sucked too much power. I was going to get a new laptop for the boat but they still suck more power than I wanted. A friend turned me on to the asus and I like it much better than the 2 laptops I had before it.
But the asus has become much more than my boat computer, in fact I’m only waiting to see the inevitable improvements before buying another. I love that thing. What I like most is the weight and the keyboard. The keyboard is big enough to use without much compromise and the computer is so light it is a pleasure to pack around. I can do almost everything I need to do with it in the field.
I’m a little wary of relying on the net for my applications since I often have connection issues but keep an open mind. The guts of the pc have evolved into the guts to do almost anything. The pace of innovation in computer technology is mind boggling. If only they could start making these things last longer. Someone else wisely said we no longer buy things we subscribe to them.
Typing something on a decent sized netbook is legions away from typing on the iphone, which for anything beyond a tweet is a chore.
Shorter Amused: I own a boat.
AO’s on a boat, motherfucker!
“windows 7 will turn things around for us”-Microsoft
“Microsoft Bob is the future” – Microsoft
Longer Fafaroo,
How can I politicize and make confrontational one of the rare noninflammatory posts here in Ollie Land. Of course I have a boat, a car too, computers, and a plethora of manufactored goods.
AO, settle down, dude. Fafaroo was referencing SNL. Click Crusty Dem’s hulu link and it will become clear to you. Yes, even you.
Amused Observer: “I have a 10″ asus…”
If I was really as immature as everyone here thinks I am, I would have made a 10″ anus joke. … Damnit.
Duros62: “AO, settle down, dude. Fafaroo was referencing SNL. Click Crusty Dem’s hulu link and it will become clear to you. Yes, even you.”
Unless he’s not in the states and can’t see it. Wouldn’t that be ironic.
Shorter Amused, Take II: LOL. I have zero sense of humor about myself.
Why would this nudge Apple to play the netbook game? The Chrome OS is built on a Linux kernel, and although both systems are based on Unix, Apple has this thing about proprietary everything. I don’t see them being particularly interested in producing hardware to run an open source OS (and with the additional competition, I sure don’t see them trying their hand at an all-Apple netbook).
As CNN put it, “It’s actually good. It’s good for us. Right, competition is good, tends to bring out more innovation, often times more choice, better cost.” That also translates to lower profit margin for producers. (you can see the clip and other mainstream responses to the announcement at http://www.newsy.com/videos/google_gears_up_for_os)
So in short, I have no idea why this announcement would be at all encouraging for Apple to get into the netbook business when they have the iPhone and the Macbook.