Tonight, Google announced Chrome OS, an upcoming project to build a lightweight open source operating system initially targeted at netbooks. The press release emphasizes that all applications should be web applications, and that the OS is just enough of a framework for the Google Chrome browser to run.
“Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips…”
Interesting that they used the term x86, not x64.
“…we are working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year.”
This hardware niche is ripe for the taking because of Microsoft’s frustrating licensing stance on netbooks. They’ve steadfastly refused to allow netbooks with more than 2gb of memory to be licensed with the versions of Windows enthusiasts really want. We’re stuck with 2gb of ram and stripped-down operating systems. If we can’t run the apps we want, then maybe we might tolerate web-only applications.
“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.”
We saw how well that worked out for the iPhone. Apple initially took this stance and was forced to quickly recant, bringing out a full-blown SDK later in order to accommodate the development community. I won’t tolerate web-only applications on my phone, and my phone is almost always connected to the web. Why would I tolerate web-only apps on a netbook that I’d like to use on a plane? Google Gears only goes so far. How about watching movies or playing music?
“While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.”
Translation: “Android isn’t working out quite the way we wanted. We’ve already started running into backwards compatibility issues with Android, so it’s time to fork out to a new operating system altogether.”
This should be interesting. Microsoft’s desktop business is now under intense pressure from both sides. They’re being attacked on the low (free) end by Linux and now Google, and on the high (cost) end by Apple. Of course, Microsoft has some time on that low end given that Google took five years to bring GMail out of beta.
“I won’t tolerate web-only applications on my phone, and my phone is almost always connected to the web. Why would I tolerate web-only apps on a netbook that I’d like to use on a plane?”
Think a little deeper here… The reason that you aren’t happy with web-only applications is probably more due to the limitations of your browser rather than anything intrinsic with the client-server paradigm (that’s what a web application really is). Gears (with a few enhancements) coupled with a browser that isn’t controlled by a certain desktop-dependent-application-company really can handle those netbook applications that you want to use while on the plane (I use google docs offline while on flights – “server” doesn’t have to be remote from your “client”).
I use & love Gears too, but that doesn’t solve my need to watch movies, listen to media and play games, none of which are Gears-friendly applications.