As I predicted in Google Chrome to Replace Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX, and Linux (September 2008) and again in Step 2: Google Chrome to Replace Microsoft Windows, Apple OSX, and Linux (December 2008), Google is moving to replace the operating system, not just the browser. What changed two days ago is that Google is finally being up-front about it, instead of masquerading their plans as “only” a browser.
In Introducing the Google Chrome OS on the Official Google Blog, Google writes,
We designed Google Chrome for people who live on the web — searching for information, checking email, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends….
Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010….
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….
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….
What does this mean to you? Several things, all good if you a) use your computer mostly for stuff on the web, and b) like to save money, and c) don’t mind that virtually all of your files will be “elsewhere” instead of stored on your own computer.
- Turn on your Google Chrome OS based computer and, within a very few seconds, you will be up and running on the web (using Google Chrome, of course).
- No (or at least few) worries about viruses and Trojans which exploit Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook, or Microsoft Office. You will have the security of Linux without the geeky requirements that you actually understand Linux.
- You will be able to run this on existing hardware, which ought to breathe new life into old machines.
The kicker is that, in Google’s grand vision, all of your email, letters, documents, spreadsheets, databases, etc., will be stored on Google’s servers. You will use GMail for your mail and Google Apps instead of Microsoft Office or OpenOffice.org. If you are big, you will use the paid versions of these apps. If you are small, ads might be in your face all the time. It is not coincidence that GMail and Google Apps came out of “beta” the same day that Google introduced Google Chrome OS.
Is this good for you? How much do you trust Google? It is certainly cool technology, certainly priced right, and certainly convenient.
