The Google OS Becomes Reality: Google Announces the Google Chrome OS
Just after we heard a number of rumors about the possible arrival of the rumored Google OS tonight, Google actually went ahead and announced that it will indeed release its own operating system - the Google Chrome Operating System. For now, Google plans to aim this OS at the netbook market. The OS will only become available for consumers in the second half of 2010, but Google promises that it will open-source the code later this year. According the the announcement on the Google blog, the OS will run on standard x86 chips as well as ARM chips, and Google is already working with a number of OEMs to bring devices that run the Google Chrome OS to the market.
Google Chrome OS is Not Android
In the announcement, Google stresses that this operating system is a completely new project and not affiliated with Google's Android OS, which, according to Google, was always meant to run on a variety of devices, including netbooks. Google acknowledges that the two operating systems might overlap in some areas, but the company believes that, ultimately, "choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google."
Here is how Google describes the OS:
Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and 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.
The Google Chrome OS will run on top of a Linux kernel, though the exact details about the actual implementation are still vague.
Perfect for Netbooks
This kind of operating system would obviously be perfect for netbooks, which, after all, are meant to be constantly connected to the Internet and don't have a lot of resources. Currently, most netbooks run Windows XP, which, by now, is a rather antiquated operating system. With Windows 7, Microsoft tried to release a version for netbooks that would only run three applications at the same time (though Microsoft has since dropped this limit). Maybe Google is going to take this even further and will release an OS that will only run one application - Chrome.
With this, Google can obviously put its own web apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs at the center of the user experience, and this is surely part of Google's motivation behind releasing this OS. But given that Chrome is simply a browser, any other web app would obviously also be able to run on it as well.
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As to whether it will use the Linux kernel or something new. FTA:
"The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel."
so YES...
Thanks Jon - we missed that in all the excitement!
A dream come true thing.
Though, from sometime, Google is rethinking the basics e.g.
Rethinked Browser: Chrome
Rethinked Email: Wave
Rethinked OS: Chrome OS
Things they say are rethinked(changin')
oops, thats what I get for reading multiple articles at once... but as its not mentioned here still useful -- the 'new' OS is a new Windowing system on top of the Linux kernel (for those not aware the kernel is the core of the system that allows everything to actually work (basically everything hardware and software excepting the GUI layer), so they'd just be creating a new GUI, i.e. Windowing system...though admittedly still a major undertaking).
Utilizing the Linux core (and the massive amount of libraries/drivers/non GUI apps, etc, and developers associated with it) makes a lot of sense as that is the hardest part of any OS to create.
Interesting that this comes on the heels of the annoucnement about pushing Google Apps out of beta. The recent talk has been that Google is getting old and slow, maybe this is their answer?
That's great news! I ditched IE for Firefox and Firefox for Chrome long time ago!
Guys, this is incredibly exciting - but as with all things, I think you have partly nailed this on the head.
"Google can obviously put its own web apps like Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Docs at the center of the user experience, and this is surely part of Google's motivation behind releasing this OS"
I can well imagine - that with the DOJ (Department of Justice) already breathing down their neck about the cross-pollination of their products and share of advertising market creating a monopoly - any associated push of more Google products tied closely together with an OS system may very well create a firestorm internally within the DOJ.
Myself - I can't wait to see what is produced - but I imagine that all Google Competitors (*ahem MS*) will also put forward some pretty strong monopolistic arguments here considering how hard Google have pushed this in Microsoft's direction in the past.
Exciting times either way.
That is really a great news for all Chrome lover.i like chrome is very easy and fast than any other explorer.
This is an even bigger news than Google Wave, which they announced about a month ago. Google is really turning up the innovation dial. Hopefully this will put pressure on Microsoft to bring out better products that people actually want, instead of wasting time and money on those pointless marketing campaigns.
It resembles to what we realized here at rww back in 2006 - http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/googleos_what_to_expect.php - doesn't it?
I wouldn't worry too much about a monopoly issue as this will be open sourced.
Yes this is exciting for us, the digerati.
Yes I'll be installing ChromeOS on one of my machines (or a stable version of Moblin, whichever comes first)
Yes it's be fast, slick and run web apps like a charm
No this isn't the end of Microsoft's world - they're a big company with smart people and there's still millions of bods using x86 machines with XP and ie6 - sad but true...
More here
https://www.cloudave.com/link/adding-to-the-chromeos-deluge
I think it will be all about saving power in comparison to Windows XP and Windows 7. If the change will also enable to scale down the resource use of the hardware, it will be a real success. For that, any savings must be around 15-20% at least.
Another thing Google will have to stick to is getting the prices of netbooks down. Any Windows license is now about 35-65 USD, say 10-20% of the full price. Using an OS with a limited functionality (and indeed, Google Chrome OS will be limited in comparison to Windows XP and any Linux) has to be reflected in the pricing. If they can't get the prices down, they won't have any noteworthy success.
Goobuntu anyone?
@Mikael - I have to respectively disagree. The fact that it is open source is irrelevant - the fact that they are inviting developers to develop on it is irrelevant.
It is the close tying of Google products to it that will be the point of contention. “Load up our Google OS Operating System and have Wave, Chrome, Gmail, Gtalk, Google Desktop, Google Docs ready to access immediately - oh and upload all of your video’s to Youtube with our natively integrated uploader. Lastly, all your searches can be driven off our Google search engine - locally and across the web.”
Wow, imagine that - it’s all available from the get-go and you think it’s not of concern ? I have to disagree that this as it is a huge point of concern - privacy conflicts, competition issues and the level of advertising exposure all wrapped neatly into one product.
The promotion of such a OS to non-tech (I repeat non-tech) consumers as a link on a Google web-page or as a pre-installed product on PC’s links more single-company services together than any other business will have ever done before in the world.
I think that is a point of concern that the DOJ will be looking at. I think that is a point of concern everyone should be looking at.
This is great, to have an OS free from Google, but how they will make money with this?
And I thought this would be a Down day!
This is why I love Tech..
I feel like a school girl again
all a twitter and new!
No pun intended.
Should we be worried that an advertising giant is creating an OS that will have a native link to many web-based, advertisement-packed, privacy-invading products?
The only thing I'm glad about is that some of Google's projects are released open source, so forks can be developed that bypass some of their mickey mouse systems...
finally someone who can actually face microsoft.
What is so innovative with packing an OS with applications? Nah, they're merely using Microsoft's own strategy. DOS was the base for Windows. Linux for gOS. M$ has Write, Notepad, Outlook Express etc, g has Docs, Mail etc.
Windows 3 required very little resources, so will gOS. Windows 3 didn't have much features, neither will gOS and its applications.
The future looks bright for web applications etc, but really in its true form, there's no difference from running and OS with locally installed applications. When web based applications reach the functionality of locally installed applications, the netbooks will have lots more powerful processors
I may sound pro M$, but am not the least. Neither pro g. I just think it all needs to be looked at in perspective and retroperspective, and at a macro level. I will most likely install the gOS in my Acer Aspire One to use as a kitchen/loo-computer to check the latest on the web, and then another netbook for accessing my home server with Remote Desktop and a third for video editing, photo retouching etc. Or the first one will get ditched completely... it depends on my needs.
I really like to have a quick startup netbook though. But waitaminute, ain't that something Intel as well are doing? Any my TinyXP starts up wickedly fast on the Netbook.
It'll be interesting to see what M$ does as an answer, if they answer. I've been waiting for their fall like many major playes can fall when they're not listening to their market good enough.
I'm really glad about the announcement of Google Chrome OS and I'm looking forward using this.
I'm glad to see some more competition in the OS market. I hope to see the end of monopolistic desktop OS nightmares. If it is as fast as Google Chrome, then it will probably earn a place on some of my old computers. Keep it up Google!
I don't know how far will it reach in an already exhausted market of web browsers.
- Ryan
http://www.surveyrapid.com
Please Read what I had written about the Google OS 6 months ago.
http://mindpower2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/time-for-google-based-online-operating.html
Not interested. Should be a stripped down piece of junk.
If it hooks directly into Google Voice and Google Wave, we might see some really interesting possibilities. As for monpoly, that's a difficult case to prove when m$ and apple have 99% of the OS market.
That Google would go after this new business surprises only those that don't understand Google. Industrial-era thinkers believe you should "stick to your focus". Like GM. But Google knows that in an information economy if you don't keep moving into new markets with new technologies looking for more revenues you won't survive. Read more at http://www.ThePhoenixPrinciple.com
I'm a fan of Google Chrome so this is exciting news for me! I really like the key aspects of Google Chrome OS.
This is really great news. but lets see how far google can go with this project :)
"The Google OS Becomes Reality"
I'm sorry, but that's not even close to true. It won't launch until the second half of 2010. That's over a year away. This is an announcement of a plan, Microsoft style.
When it ships, then I'll care. Until then, STFU.
When I heard that Google is going to launch Google Chrome explore. When I was very excited to use Google Chrome and after using I feel it is really a nice explore and by using it we can do work fast and easily.
Hmmmm.....actually Google Chrome I have tried and observed that it is Gmail works faster in Google Chrome explorer. So, yes I will definitely try Google Chrome OS also. And then, will come back again here, to give you the feedback of the new Google OS.
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I am very excited about this Google chrome Operating system.
As we all know that Google chrome is the fastest browser amongst all. Hopefully this operating system will be best amongst all.
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heard that Google is going to launch Google Chrome explore. When I was very excited to use Google Chrome and after using I feel it is really a nice explore and by using it we can do work fast and easily.
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I am very excited about this Google chrome Operating system.
As we all know that Google chrome is the fastest browser amongst all. Hopefully this operating system will be best amongst all.
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I just want to say that I can't wait to give Google OS a try myself. I will first try it on my little HP netbook, then ifi I like what I see I might just install it on my bigger machine.
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I am already using google chrome and I fidn it to be very fast and its look very clean.. I find gmail also opens faster on this as compared to firefox.
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September 14, 2009 5:07 AM
If I can't use Firefox in Chrome OS on my netbook, then I won't use Chrome OS. Simple as that. And I'm sure I'm not alone. Market forces will lead Google into allowing Firefox, or the market will kill Chrome OS. As it should be.
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I am really looking forward towards the new features of Google OS.Definitely it has certain fetures.
I hope to see the end of monopolistic desktop OS nightmares. If it is as fast as Google Chrome, then it will probably earn a place on some of my old computers. Keep it up Google!
I use Firefox and IE 7, with the latest updates for both, and they are ok, but Firefox is much faster.
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About time, the world gets another alternative OS, other than the tired Windoze and the cryptic Linux.
I believe the os will become number one in no-time. Personally I like every application Google has released.
I was a fan of the Google Chrome OS for some time in its beta version, but found that it was susceptible to spyware just like IE and Firefox to some extent. I've since switched over to Safari. Perhaps the official version of Chrome will be much better than the Beta.
That's great news now. I have been using firefox for the longest while since I don't like explorer. Would love to test run Google Chrome
I think it is going to be awesome. Once again Google is stepping up the game. They are the real deal!
I do like everything by Google , that's why it is great to hear about this.
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Google is king for sure.They rule the world or search engine
Google annoy me sometimes.Anyway u have got to love them for what they do
Google Chrome OS is really a very nice browser and it is very easy to use. We can do work fast by it.
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