Comments for 10 Things We're Dying to Know About Chrome OS

10 Things We're Dying to Know About Chrome OS

2009-07-08T14:11:02Z

This morning the blogosphere is abuzz with the late-breaking news about Google's new Chrome OS, a combination of the Chrome browser and windowing system running on top of a Linux kernel. But more important than what's being announced is what hasn't been said. People already have a lot of questions about the Chrome OS and the answers may ultimately determine how well it succeeds as a true competitor to both Microsoft and Apple, as is being widely speculated. We'll explore some of those questions in this post.

]]> In typical Google fashion, the Chrome OS announcement is filled with glorious tidbits of information that add up to paint an overall picture of what's ahead. They've told us the OS will run on standard x86 and ARM chips, that they're working OEMs to bring it to several netbooks by next year, that the code will be open-sourced later this year, that it will run any web applications, and that, yeah, it overlaps a little with Android.

However, what we don't know about the Chrome OS could fill a room.

What We Don't Know About Chrome OS

What will happen when you go offline?
If the Chrome OS is all about running web apps in a browser, that begs the question - what will happen when there's no internet connection available? Of course, Google apps like Gmail can run offline using Gears, but Gears isn't everywhere yet. Another likely possibility is that Chrome OS will support the upcoming standard HTML5, which also offers offline capabilities. However, not all web applications will support that either...at least not immediately. That just leaves the "windowing system" running on the Linux kernel. Will it, like any other Linux OS, allow us to install software applications? That seems less likely since Chrome OS is all about the move away from the desktop to the web. The only real solution to the offline conundrum would be to bundle in a cellular data service with the netbook so you have always-on connectivity.
No More Desktop Software Apps: But What About Photo Uploads? Creating a PDF? Editing a Video?
Ultimately, this argument boils down to the "Photoshop" question. Anytime we talk about moving the OS to the cloud, someone inevitably says: "but you can't run Photoshop in the cloud!" That's true, but none of us run Photoshop on our netbooks, either. Still, Chrome OS on a netbook is only step one - desktop and laptop computers are sure to come next. But how will Chrome OS handle the tasks that netbooks can't? Photo software, including Google's own Picasa can't work in a browser alone...at least, not today. It still requires the intermediate step of importing photos from camera to PC then uploading from PC to web. Will this workflow still be possible thanks to Chrome OS's windowing system and Linux kernel? Then there are the more complex tasks that also require an OS: video editing, using Adobe software, using Microsoft Office. Of course, we know Google's response to that last one, but there's still a good-sized userbase out there who prefers Office to Docs - will they be willing to give it up and move to the cloud at last?
How Much Will Chrome OS Cost?
A lot of people are wondering if Chrome OS will be free, an idea likely brought about by the fact that everything that Google offers consumers has also been free. Free webmail, free Google Docs, free tools (IM, Calendar, Photos, etc.), free Chrome browser. But will the OS itself be free? Will it be ad-supported? If it's not free, then how much of a difference in price points will there have to be between a Chrome OS netbook and a Windows 7 netbook for consumers to switch to this new, unknown entity?
Will It Run Third-Party Applications?
If we had to bet, we'd bet yes on this one, but there just aren't enough details on this yet. Although Google is open-sourcing the code for Chrome OS later this year, we don't know if that means they're going to let anyone and everyone build apps for it. Maybe they will go the Apple route and lock down the OS the way Apple locks down the iPhone and allow us to install "approved" Chrome OS apps only. A lockdown ensures that everything will "just work" - a phrasing Google even uses in their blog post about it...and a methodology that has proven very successful for Apple. (It's easy for things to work when you control it with a heavy hand). But locking down an OS seems so very anti-open source and so un-Googlely. Will we end up having to "jailbreak" Chrome OS one day?
Can I Use My Old Printer?
Although less of a concern to those of us on the cutting edge who are always buying the latest gadgets and electronics, the hardware compatibility issue is still an unknown entity. Of course, thanks to its Linux kernel, the OS will include a bunch of drivers...but which ones? Since Google hasn't adopted a version of Linux that's already out there, we don't know how extensive the driver support will be. And, as everyone knows, getting manufacturers to build drivers for your OS, (nevermind getting them to provide you with ones that work properly!) is one of the hardest parts of having a successful OS.
Will Chrome OS Run Firefox?
Ha! As if! It's highly unlikely that Google would want to support competitive browsers on an OS built to run Chrome. But wait...this leads to a grey area when it comes to antitrust issues like those Microsoft currently faces in the EU. Over there, European officials are demanding that Microsoft not bundle IE with Windows, claiming that doing so is anti-competitive. But what about when the browser becomes the OS (in a sense)? Will Google now be forced to support alternatives? They might. Chrome isn't a prerequisite for a web OS: Firefox's latest version also supports HTML5, so it could just as easily run web apps both online and off.
Does this mean Google and Apple will No Longer be Friends?
As noted on VentureBeat, Google and Apple currently share an alliance of sorts. Their boards share two directors, Google chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and former Genentech chief executive, Arthur Levinson. How can this relationship last now that Google is clearly gunning for the OS market? Although people like to pit Google versus Microsoft, it's really Google versus Microsoft and Apple. Apple has a nice, healthy chunk of the consumer OS pie - the very slice that a Google OS is aiming for, especially considering its launch is on a netbook. However, Apple has clearly shown no interest - at least so far - in doing netbooks, preferring to focus their efforts on high-end computers and portable mini computers in the form of iPods and iPhones. But Google is already competing with Apple on the phone front, too, thanks to Android, and on the browser front, thanks to Chrome. Will an OS move be the last straw in the two companies' friendship?
Linux on the Netbook Hasn't Sold - Will a Google Brand Sell it Now?
We originally believed, as many open source advocates did, that the rise of the netbook would lead to uptake in consumer use of the Linux OS. However, that did not turn out to be the case. Instead, Windows XP is the dominant netbook OS and Microsoft's next OS, Windows 7, will launch netbook-ready. What was the problem with Linux on the netbook? According to major netbook manufacturer MSI Wind, the problem was Linux itself - MSI's Director of U.S. Sales Andy Tung said this of consumers: "They start playing around with Linux and start realizing that it's not what they are used to. They don't want to spend time to learn it so they bring it back to the store. The return rate is at least four times higher for Linux netbooks than Windows XP netbooks." Will branding a Linux OS "Google" and telling consumers to just load up the browser lead to simplicity, as Google hopes, or just more confusion?
Will Chrome OS Turn into an Enterprise Play?
Although Chrome OS will launch on the netbook, how far does Google plan to take their new technology? To the consumer desktop? To the small business? To the enterprise? Google has already shown how competitive they are when it comes to fighting Microsoft Office, will they do the same in fighting Microsoft's foothold as the business desktop OS of choice? If so, they may have a tougher battle ahead of them than they think. It may be one thing to get the IT guys to ditch Office software for a simplified cloud version, but ditch their OS? Not so much. The Windows desktop OS is designed to work with the rest of the Windows stack, including everything from Exchange Server to SharePoint and many others. In a client-server setting, IT admins create server-based policies that control everything about the corporate OS including browser settings, backup policies, logon restrictions, file access, permissions, updates, and so much more. What can you control when the OS is the web? Not much. And that could be a big problem.
Does "open source" mean Google expects the community to maintain the code?
In the open source world, the development and maintenance of code is crowd-sourced to a community of developers. By open-sourcing the Chrome OS code, is Google saying that they're not steering the OS ship? If so, that would be a very different way to do business than how Microsoft and Apple currently work. And it's somewhat an iffy one. While it's one thing to buy a Linux OS labeled as such, all consumers will see when buying Chrome OS is the big label reading "Google." They will have expectations that the company is running the show, not an amorphous community of open-sourcers. What will happen when something goes wrong? There's no "Apple Genius Bar" to take the computer to and no "Microsoft Support" hotline to call. (Or will there be?) Selling an OS is only step one. Supporting it is just as crucial. What level of responsibility does Google plan for that?

These are our questions about Chrome OS. Can you speculate on the answers? Do you have questions of your own? Let us know in the comments.

Comment from Michael Martine - Remarkablogger on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T14:35:19Z

I want to know about privacy. As in, will there be any.

Comment from Bradley Robb on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T14:38:54Z

Also, how will Chrome OS differ from similar offerings like gOS Cloud - http://www.thinkgos.com/cloud/index.html - and standard gOS - http://www.thinkgos.com/gos/index.html - offerings? Both are built with or around Chormium and rely heavily on Google Apps and Gears to get things done.

Further, will Chrome OS allow a dual-boot feature which allows a user to instantly boot into the Chrome OS for simpler tasks - email, listening to music, web surfing - but then have a quick "jump to OS of choice" option to handle the afore mentioned Photoshop scenario?

And then there's the privacy issue. Most web savvy users understand that we are not Google's customers. We might make great use of the services, but in doing so, we're merely supplying data so that Google's true customers, can serve ads at us. How much is Google going to know about Chrome OS users?

Comment from fjpoblam on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T14:50:21Z

I want to know how tightly the current discrete GoOgle services (gmail, especially) will be[come] "tethered" to Chrome. Will gmail eventually become a Chrome hook?

Comment from Sarah Perez on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T14:50:43Z

@Michael & Bradley: Agreed! Privacy is a huge concern and one a lot of us have already. Google knows so much about us now, with a Google OS they'll know just that much more. It's kinda scary.

Comment from LiveCrunch on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:03:36Z

Here are few answers to your question I think are pretty much self explanatory:

1. Question to you: What can you do with Mac,Linux or Windows when you are offline?

2. Since google is linux based OS, I am sure you will be able to download software such as GIMP. Who knows maybe they have contract with Ubuntu since it's pretty much easy to use for now days illiterate users.

3. I doubt it will cost anything, its open source! With this OS their services such as Gmail, Calendar etc will be promoted to more users.

4. As I said above its linux based system so YES.

5. I bet they are going to just include generic and most common drivers especially for wi-fi and ethernet so you can first get online than download the rest of'em.

6. Why wouldn't it be able to run FF?

...sorry I am out of time to answer next 4 :)

TTYL mate...

Comment from Jacobo on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:10:03Z

I think we won't be the owners of our information!

Comment from Brad on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:26:32Z

Re: #3 (cost) -- If they really do release the code under an open source license, then the price point will have to be pretty low. More analogous to a convenience fee (a la Red Hat) than a licensing fee (a la Windows).

Comment from Sarah Perez on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:30:54Z

@LiveCrunch: Regarding your question - What can you do with Mac, Linux or Windows when you are offline?

Quite a lot!! With a desktop based email client, I can read and respond to what's in my inbox (even though I can't send until connected), with the "work offline" features of web browsers, I can keep reading the articles I had open. I can edit photos and videos, work on PDFs, use desktop Office software to create and save files, watch videos (thanks to my DVD drive - not a netbook feature!), listen to music saved on my PC via iTunes (+create playlists and burn CDs), play games (everything from the pre-installed simple Windows games to fancy, HW-intensive boxed games), and a lot more.

Oh, wait...that wasn't a serious question, was it?

Comment from Hugh Isaacs II on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:37:10Z

Well to answer a few questions.

From what I've read Google Chrome OS is nothing but a stand-alone Google Chrome, nothing more, nothing less.

But it sounds like it's based on a future version of Chrome since future versions of Chrome are supposed to have their O3D plugin built in and Native Client built in, which would make up for things like Photoshop and 3D rendering.

Plus a future version of Google Gears is supposed to support something called Blobs which will allow it to access things like photos offline and edit them.

Basically the way Google plans to gain support for their OS is by using the versions of Chrome that already exist for Windows, Mac and Linux to stretch their platform (and remember they're also working on bringing Chrome to Android).

What I'm curious about isn't whether we'll be able to do certain tasks, but how some tasks will be implemented and what the OS will look like.

Like, Will it support Google Gadgets? Will it have built in XMPP like Android? Will we be able to tack websites on to our backgrounds like Active Desktop on Windows XP?

Comment from Chad Fulton on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:39:11Z

I agree with LiveCrunch. These questions don't seem to be in-sync with the Google I've been watching for the past few years.

This post's viewpoint seems pretty suspicious, which may not be warranted. Think about their entry into the browser market, with Chrome. It is open source, and yet they don't expect the community to maintain it. They're in the process of allowing extensions (like 3rd party apps for the OS). Why wouldn't they allow desktop applications, including Firefox, if users wanted? It's linux based, so I doubt they'll prevent those installations.

Their goal in all of this (like their stated goal with Chrome the browser) is to better allow people to access their offerings on the web.

When they released Chrome, there was a mad dash for browsers to introduce new Javascript engines to compete. For Google, that's a win, even if no one uses Chrome. Similarly, there are no privacy issues in Chrome (and Google was quick to remove potentially offending sections of the Terms of Service when it was released).

By releasing Chrome OS, I suspect they're hoping for something similar in the OS arena. Like you suggest, it will likely be difficult for Google to monetize the OS. But their golden egg has always been online, and its likely they just want to make sure people will always easily get there.

Comment from Fays on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:49:20Z

Google's main job is advertizing. All the other Apps are there for the sole reason of selling ads. So if Chrome OS is free and doesn't have some sort of direct income tied to it. Does this mean that we will see Google Ads on the left side of our screen, over our beloved wallpaper ?

Google is sure trying to be everywhere but they seem to have a lack of focus lately. Android is having pain to take off and take real market share comparing to its competitors. What would help Chrome OS really be a success ?

Of course many of us, can manage to have a laptop and a netbook, and we would be able to execute our daily tasks where it is appropriate. But the mass of people (which is Google's target) will want to have one single computer allowing them to edit their photos, listen to their mp3s and install whichever application they would want, and work offline.

Being an OS on the cloud, running web apps would be a fatal mistake for Google. If they want to address the people and not just Google enthusiasts, they will have to have an hybrid OS that will run fat client apps as well as the web apps.

Comment from Make Money online on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:56:09Z

Basically, Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. It is an open source, lightweight Operating System that will initially be targeted at netbooks as well as Google Chrome has added many new features compare to Windows but as far as I know consumers don't accept new product that easily even if it's FREE. They have been using windows for a long time and lot of them don't want to switch that quick. Selling an OS is only step one. Supporting it is just a doubtful. What level of responsibility Goggle have been planed for?

Comment from Valentin on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T15:57:57Z

If it is "Google Chrome web-based OS":

1. Gears topic is void, it will be there. HTML5 should be prime — having heard all the I/O 2009 talks.

2. Agree with comment. "Photoshop" on netbook is for real geeks. Importing photos from cameras is no big deal — you digital photo frame does it already, right? If you really absolutely need PDF on netbook then sign for Adobe's online service.

3. Looking at Android OEM model — it should be free for end-users as well as OEMs.

4. Native non-browser using Google's frameworks? Could be. Native non-browser "general purpose" — I doubt, at least until compatibility layer is written.

5. Do you still use one? Ok, CUPS is bundled with Mac OS X, why can't it be bundled with Linux (if it is Linux indeed)?

6. See 4.

7. This could be more pragmatic. They will slice what is left on greenfield market. There will be switchovers but less likely between two of them.

8. a) Who said it is Linux? b) Linux powers Android — does it sell? Netbook can be an "oversized smartphone with hard keyboard". c) What is the deal for non geek if it is Linux or not when all stuff runs in a web browser? Hardly most of them will ever notice.

9. Not sure where in enterprise, esp. the large ones, Google is competitive to Microsoft Office. They will try, but it might in the middle–bottom of their priority list. Just as it is and was with Apple.

10. If it will have Google branding on it, they will steer and support it.

Comment from Richard Cunningham on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T16:00:49Z

@Sarah I find myself pretty lost without a net connection.

My docs are on google docs and spreadsheets.

I don't play games on my PC because the cost of upgrading is too high and if I did I'd want to play online anyway.

I don't get enough email to need to reply to it offline.

Editing photos is fine but I want to post the to facebook or flickr soon after so it destroys my workflow if I'm offline.

I can listen to music saved, but then my iPod/phone does that too and on my PC I'm often inspired to find other tracks from the artist on last.fm.

Comment from Sarah Perez on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T16:16:20Z

@Valentin: I love that you responded question-by-question - and with smart answers, too. Nice!

Re: #8 - maybe the problem isn't so much that it's Linux, maybe the problem is just that it's "change." I think some consumers are afraid of change.

Comment from fjpoblam on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T16:18:21Z

Oh, and, one BEEG question about Chrome: how about support?

GoOgle won't support it! Look at GoOgle "Groups" and direct GoOgle responses to product queries. Virtually nada. One depends primarily upon advice from fellow users.

Will it be different for Chrome?

Comment from prolifix on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T16:36:38Z

http://tumblr.com/xcx2a1muk

answers to all your stupid questions....

Comment from PhistucK on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T16:49:05Z

I believe it will be free of charge. I believe immediate support might cost, though.
I believe the same model used for Chrome will be used for the operating system - mostly Google will maintain the code and trusted external contributors will join them, working by guidelines dictated by both Google and the community (the final word will be of Google, of course, but with a great ear to listen to the community).
I believe the support will grow as the time progresses and as a goal, will reach maximum compatibility with most of the software (Linux ones, obviously, Windows and Mac ones... less expected but might be) and hardware.

Comment from Brandon Mendelson on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T17:01:16Z

Just my two cents on question #7: I wouldn't be surprised to see Apple drop their OS in favor of the Google OS. It saves them money, and they can make the argument that their computers are the ones that run the best using the platform.

Comment from Bradley Robb on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T17:03:27Z

@Valetin

CUPS is bundled with the Linux distros I commonly work with.

Comment from Andrew Darnell on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T17:04:21Z

re. point 2 "none of us run Photoshop on our netbooks"

Have you seen aviary.com for cool cloud based vector and photo editing?

The point being it is about form factor rather than ability to do it...

re. Linux Netbook's having a four times greater return rate... The ASUS netbook I bought had the Centos 'for dummies' interface enabled which was massively frustrating and didn't meet my basic needs.

My experience with it only improved when I put a fairly standard ubuntu distribution on it... If other netbook manufacturers made similar choices I'm not too surprised that it would be a big shock for Joe Consumer.

Andrew

Comment from Valentin on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T18:13:12Z

@Sarah consumers will be afraid of change if they are constantly told there will be a change. "Marketing is about what not to talk about." Take a note of T-Mobile's G1 and myTouch3G list of features and specs on their consumer-facing site. It says all about Google, fantastic apps, personalization, how cool it is and such and not a word about Linux. Not in the small fonts even.

@Bradley Robb that was my exact point.

Comment from rick on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T18:20:59Z

All of you are assming that it's Linux and thus will run Linux apps - but you missed the new window manager part of the announcement - it sounds like this isn't using X11, and if not, GIMP etc won't run.

The OS is using the Linux *kernel* - they've said nothing about CUPS, device driver support, etc. Kernel != OS.

Put simply, if this is full-fledged Linux with very tight Chrome browser integration it's nothing more than a new distro of Linux. Snooze. If it's the kernel with X11 replaced and a web-only model then issues of driver support, app support and usefulness are all valid points. It's one thing to have a netbook that's web only since they tend to be secondary machines. But a web-only primary machine? Not sure that we're ready for that.

Comment from Krishna Santani on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T18:39:52Z

Its groundbreaking idea from Google web OS and they are planning to wipe out Windows in a most strategic manner. Google clearly pointing to Microsoft when they say "The operating systems that browsers run were designed in an era where there was no web". Its yet to be known how they are going to profit from Chrome OS? Another thought can Chrome OS cant become a global hit especially in small countries where internet is very fickle? But leaving these things aside its going to be win-win situation for the users and it will be interesting to witness the war between giants.

Comment from auto-types.com on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T20:03:33Z

very useful article. thanks guys! :)

Comment from Blaine K on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T20:56:14Z

Sarah: In terms of desktop apps and what happens with local integration (ie, How do I get pictures from my Camera to the Flickr "site/app"), there will have to be offline components or a toolkit, or something more formally packaged much like Adobe's Air.

This is going to be *huge*. Lots of people are saying that the web can't deliver a desktop experience, yet they use GMail and other apps like this already! New development techniques come out daily to push the envelope in web development.

Simply put, these types of these concerns go away with an Air-like product.

The OS *has* to be free. Google will do its $50/user/year for Apps and that will drive revenue. Charging for the OS will mean it will not get used.

What I'm VERY curious to see, however, is how Enterprise adoption will be (once it's no longer a netbook-only OS) and how support will be handled. Google doesn't really have a traditional help desk support system in place right now, and that would have to change. Can't just put up an FAQ page online and expect non-technical people to find and use it!

TechCrunch just spent a lot of time and money developing the OS for the CrunchPad and before either product is released, the CrunchPad's OS is a loss. It won't be long for this OS to end up on the CrunchPad from factory, if it even comes with their OS at launch.

Comment from Guy on 2009-07-08

2009-07-09T01:13:13Z

"Will Chrome OS Run Firefox?"
I know there is talk of antitrust issues by locking it to one browser like MS did with IE, but let's face it, the only reason that was a problem was because IE was so crap, where as Google stuff is quite decent. I do hope they allow FireFox as I prefer both....is that greedy?

"Linux on the Netbook Hasn't Sold - Will a Google Brand Sell it Now?"
Most people who know, and/or use, Linux would not purchase a cheap laptop, so their demographic in my honest opinion was probably misguided. But Google, every body knows, loves and trusts Google......well maybe not everybody, but a lot more than MS.

Comment from VitaminCM on 2009-07-08

2009-07-09T01:45:11Z

I think that basing their operating system on Chrome should make it completely useless. Chrome is like a browser, without all of the things that make it good.
What will this OS be? A computer without any useful functionality?
Not Interested.

Comment from VitaminCM on 2009-07-08

2009-07-09T01:49:24Z

Comment from keepsea on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T09:26:35Z

>>> 6. ...Over there, European officials are demanding that Microsoft not bundle IE with Windows, claiming that doing so is anti-competitive...

Please not this one again. After so many years some people still don't get it. When Microsoft is bundling IE with Windows it's anti-competitive because Microsoft has dominant position on the market of operating systems. Does Google have dominant position on the market of operating systems? No. Therefore - can Google abuse its dominant position on the market of operating systems by bundling other products to their OS? No. So can Google legally bundle browser to their OS? Yes.

Google might have no problem with FF on Google OS anyway - Chrome is not their key product, it's just a way how to get people from MS products to the web, because that's where Google makes money. If some people want to use FF on Google OS to get to the web Google would be happy to give it to them as long as it is technically feasible.

Comment from Yacir M Turk on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T10:51:38Z

This is amazing
Google to launch Chrome OS

Comment from McLaughlin on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T11:57:21Z

I just wonder if I will be able to use all my existing applications in Chrome OS. Small business accounting and payroll software, for example, will not be re-written quickly to go on to Chrome.
I assume that this will just be another flavor of UNIX that will have its own fan base, but unless they make it easy to run existing apps - the unwashed masses will not follow.

Comment from derChef on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T13:06:45Z

@LiveCrunch

What can you do with Windows offline? Listen to music, use Office, play games (actual games, not your Atari-7800 era free ones), develop software in Visual Studio, use Photoshop, etc.

Also, Open Source != free of charge. Open source means that you are able to view, and make changes to, the source code.

Comment from Gaetano on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T18:07:19Z

---
I've already predicted the GoOS (and posted everywhere on the web) TEN MONTHS AGO!!!
---
http://newgoos.blogspot.com/2008/09/goos-screenshot-on-sony-vaio.html
---

Comment from http://www.chocosnow.com/ on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T20:22:45Z

Great article. I have been looking for one like this!

Comment from craigm on 2009-07-09

2009-07-09T20:29:45Z

but there's still a good-sized userbase out there who prefers Office to Docs - will they be willing to give it up and move to the cloud at last?
Yeah, 99.9999999999999999999999% of all users is definately a good-sized userbase! I mean come on, downplaying MS has been fashionable for almost a decade now, but pretty much everyone in the world uses Office, OpenOffice barely gets a look in, never mind Docs!

Comment from sam on 2009-07-09

2009-07-10T03:12:48Z

Chrome Browser is no where near as good as FF3 let alone 3.5 being ablle to run other browsers is a must

I think they might have a simple basic version and a more advanced one also (basic being free all the features you want in the advanced one)

Plugins for Chrome just don't exist and are'nt being created, I can't see a community contributing to Chrome OS like people do linux; if there is no community drive behind chrome now after 9 months (when I say no drive I mean compared to firefox which has committed, keen & flourishing community development)

The google software I have is impressive; many see the concept as flawed; I am keen to see what transpires but won't be part of the experiement

Comment from online games for kids on 2009-07-09

2009-07-10T04:04:02Z

Intriguing. Can't wait till more updates!

Comment from Dish TV on 2009-07-09

2009-07-10T04:32:24Z

I understand that Google Chrome will be an open-source OS and it will be separate from the Android cellphone OS. However, Google is already the #1 search engine in the world. Is this new os necessary to keep its stake as China's Baidu continues to grow or is it to pressure the other big guys such as Microsoft?

Comment from Pixlr on 2009-07-10

2009-07-10T19:59:19Z

@2 Online photoshop? Here it is http://www.pixlr.com/

Comment from faisal on 2009-07-11

2009-07-11T13:17:01Z

i just know Google's going to play good and big this time .... and Chrome OS will rock

Comment from earthen on 2009-07-11

2009-07-11T13:54:03Z

Safety and Security first. Let see what can Google Chrome can offer.

Comment from Mark on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T19:00:45Z

OK - Time for my monthly beating...

Why is everyone SO hardcore against Microsoft, Windows, or anything to do with Bill Gates? I mean cmon.. some of the replies in this post as well as others I have seen over the past few days since the announcement sound like sheep getting in line for the next great coming.

Im sure there will be HUGE MASS of users that rush out and grab everything to do with Chrome OS, and by huge, I mean ~2%. The tech crowd will surely jump to use it, but the "Majority" will not only stick to what they are familiar with, but what they like. Many people DO actually like MS products and ARE willing to pay for it.

As a Webmaster of several sites with varying demographics... I can tell you that even though FF is the browser of choice in the tech crowd, including myself, it still accounts for less than 20% of overall browser choice in any site other than a tech crowd. Lets not even bring the -1% Chrome crowd into it.

Being real here...

Will Chrome support IE as a browser? If not, then the antitrust suits will jockey into position, along with 80% of the browsing public who actually like and use IE.

Will Chrome OS support MS Office, and not in the Docs flavor? Almost every school, Univercity, and business in the World use MS Office.

In all likelihood, GoOS will be a great piece of vaporware supported by the tech crowd for 10+ years. I mean, how else will GooG support the BILLIONS of Moms and Pops that are going to be trying to call in for support when their camera wont connect, their system wont boot up, or any miriad of other questions that really arent the fault of the OS, but must be supported nonetheless. Have you ever tried to get support from GooG? You get referred to a forum... see how long that goes well with "Joe the Plumber".

A Cloud based OS "for the masses" is still MANY years away. Sure, GooG may release it in 2010, but it will be another 8-10 years before it gains much traction in the public.

Comment from Justin Goldberg on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T19:12:31Z

If it runs Mono apps then it can run Paint.NET

Comment from Justin Goldberg on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T19:17:08Z

@mark it will be supported by OEMs. If an enterprising user installs it themself on a naked laptop, desktop, or netbook, they will probably be technical users who can support themself.

Comment from Devarajaswami on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T21:22:51Z

Sarah,

Here's the first question to ask about this Chrome OS:

1. When will actually be released for real?

Comment from Mark on 2009-07-12

2009-07-12T21:46:06Z

Thanks for the follow up Justin!

Mark

Comment from Julian Reschke on 2009-07-13

2009-07-13T12:55:29Z

"Firefox's latest version also supports HTML5, so it could just as easily run web apps both online and off."

That's misleading. HTML5 is unfinished. Furthermore, none of the current browsers implements (yet) *all* of what HTML5 is going to add.

Comment from smart on 2009-07-19

2009-07-20T05:59:18Z

security is the point on what google is talking about when it comes to google chrome OS.....
i dont see you dicussing it?:-??

Comment from u64 on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T12:50:33Z

Google is doing with Linux kinda what Mac does with BSD.
Slapping on a bew GUI ontop and calling it something else.

A good idea, actually. The great difference is GPL License stay GPL. While BSD License can change into someone else's property.

Chrome seems to be yet another Linux distro.

Comment from Bolo on 2009-07-24

2009-07-24T13:18:28Z

Is there a beta version i can download for Chrome OS like it was for windows 7?

Comment from Lee Stevens on 2009-08-20

2009-08-21T04:06:37Z

If they take Ubuntu and make it more windows friendly but dont stop there and add a cool opening windows screen that scales and drops back like some window desktop aps, they are well on there way.Put in a windows type media player that cover all aps. Window prices will plummet Google is positioning itself to be the big dog on the internet, the question is when does the money bite happen.
The OS is so no one gets any ideas like ATT to charge each time you go to Google. If Google gets into the ISP market like high speed free wifi. Game over, set, game, match.

Comment from danban800 on 2009-09-25

2009-09-25T21:45:16Z

That's stupid. Why are people saying that this is google's operating system. It a new linux distrubution not an operating system. The linux kernel is the operating system not the stuff on top of it. Just like google android isn't an operating system it's just a mobile distor of linux os. It's not like google wrote their own kernel form scratch. Linus did. So therefore linux is not just a distribution of unix but a brand new os.

Comment from Brian on 2009-09-28

2009-09-28T21:50:21Z

This isn't competition for Mac or Windows. It's fairly simple... unless WineHQ.com becomes Windows, or Google manages to get every 3rd party making mac software to make chrome software, it's basically Linux Mint 7 with a lot more hype.

There are numerous college degrees out there, as well as many businesses that require specialized third party software. If this were not so, I'd probably be using Linux.

Google Chrome... probably doesn't work with
the current version of:
Microsoft Office, Quicken, Photoshop, Flash, Corel Painter, Manga Studio EX, (add 700 hundred more 3rd party applications here)

Google OS appears to be another Linux, in the line of the commercial desktop, Redhat(now deceased in desktops), Linspire(now deceased in desktops.. bought by xandros), Xandros... If Google OS is not commercial in the future, what makes it any better than Unbuntu or Linux Mint?

Linux is awesome... and for things like programming, web coding, server, firewall, mail server, I don't think it gets better than Linux. In nearly every area, Linux has capable software, including CAD, 3D modeling, 3D animation, Photo editing. Yet, the hitch is that if you are required to use a piece of software, you best at least dual boot.

Comment from Robert Harper on 2009-10-11

2009-10-11T09:22:13Z

Google is like a farmer "outstanding in it's field" Excuse my french but Bing being a sound sucks, aaai'm converting to google and canceling my hotmail acct Microsoft has lost touch with reality, and what it means to be human.

Comment from Silvernode on 2009-11-20

2009-11-20T12:52:28Z

For point number 2 I must say that this is a "netbook". It is most likely not designed for video/gimp editing (maybe gimp) but surely not much. It's plain and simple, those who mainly use internet applications will find Chrome OS perfect. While those who enjoy many hours of video editing and/or games will probably not buy a netbook in the first place. Another point is that Photoshop will only run in wine which most users don't know. On top of that it doesn't run very well with wine either. With that being said I doubt any production artist will buy it for that reason alone.

As for your Mom, Grandpa, Grandma, ect... Chrome would work just fine with their day to day use of things like email or Facebook. The point is quite simply....IT'S A NETBOOK!! lol what do you expect it to do build a Rocket for you and fly to the center of the galaxy? Oh and don't forget that it's Linux. In mainstream industry standards Chrome OS won't even gain notice let alone use. At least for most industries.