Google announces Chrome OS

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vb86

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It's been an exciting nine months since we launched the Google Chrome browser. Already, over 30 million people use it regularly. 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. However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we're announcing a new project that's a natural extension of Google Chrome — the Google Chrome Operating System. It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be.

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. Because we're already talking to partners about the project, and we'll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.

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.

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.

Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.

We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don't want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates. And any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the Internet.

We have a lot of work to do, and we're definitely going to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish this vision. We're excited for what's to come and we hope you are too. Stay tuned for more updates in the fall and have a great summer.
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source: Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS
 
To be honest, I am now really scared of Google. Microsoft is stupid, hence am not scared of it, but Google is smart and hence the reason.

~LT
 
Does this mean I need to learn all those web related thingies to develop an application? I just started learning C & C++. :(
 
Great news, monopoly has never helped an industry. If they can do to the PC what they did to mobiles(Android), the game's about to change and change for good.

That said any OS to be mature will take a lot of time and effort so lets wait and hope for the best. :)

unni said:
Does this mean I need to learn all those web related thingies to develop an application? I just started learning C & C++. :(
Click to expand...

i doubt, there will surely be APIs for custom app development.

And i hope they also come up with a marketplace for affordable to-the-point apps a-la android n itouch. This'd help curb piracy and let smalltime devs thrive.

linuxtechie said:
To be honest, I am now really scared of Google. Microsoft is stupid, hence am not scared of it, but Google is smart and hence the reason.

~LT
Click to expand...

@LT: :P stuff worthy of putting in signatures.
 
This wil probably be a dud..

They are again use linux as the base..

One must understand the major reason people use windows is because they dont have to deal with "driver problems" cause windows supports a very wide array of devices, secondly because they maintain compatibility with old programs that used to run on Win 95 or even DOS..

I expected google's attempt at an os to be much more stronger, and not just a shell on linux base..

What i expected:-

1) Some way they could use windows drivers and not require new drivers..

2) Something more than just fast and simple..something innovative..
 
a datamining os just to check email. no thanks :)

I'd rather choose the real deal (linux) over this if I ever need to switch from windows.

Google needs to know what you do on your computer btw, which will only be used by them to provide you a better user experience and localized services :rofl:
 
This is a significant move, but don't expect it to obliterate Windows. Google OS isnt for everyone.
Not everyone even has a net connection capable of running an Web OS. (you dont want to wait 5 mins for an app to launch).
Also, professionals who cant do without say Photoshop and office also wont find much in webOS.

However, its ideal for netbooks and possibly later on for enterprises.
EDIT: They won use Windows Drivers. Google is creating its own architecture (built on top of Linux kernel) that will be secure and fast. So that rules out Windows.
 
Party Monger said:
This wil probably be a dud..
They are again use linux as the base..

One must understand the major reason people use windows is because they dont have to deal with "driver problems" cause windows supports a very wide array of devices, secondly because they maintain compatibility with old programs that used to run on Win 95 or even DOS..

I expected google's attempt at an os to be much more stronger, and not just a shell on linux base..
What i expected:-
1) Some way they could use windows drivers and not require new drivers..
2) Something more than just fast and simple..something innovative..
Click to expand...

Can't agree more...
 
lol. An OS with just a browser a threat to MS?? If the year is 2020, I might say yes, but now, it will be a super failure!!!
 
I doubt it will give huge huge competition to MS. if they do won't be it another monopoly ?? MS also must have some plans to face this, aspecially when most of the common users are having windows.
 
One must understand the major reason people use windows is because they dont have to deal with "driver problems" cause windows supports a very wide array of devices, secondly because they maintain compatibility with old programs that used to run on Win 95 or even DOS..
Click to expand...

Don't agree with that. Every major Linux distro I've tried in the past 1 year has supported ALL my hardware without external drivers. Although I agree that wireless drivers need more work.

If Google can somehow figure out the need to keep updating constantly and everytime a minor/major patch is to be issued, that would make a hell of a difference!
 
Party Monger said:
This wil probably be a dud..

They are again use linux as the base..

One must understand the major reason people use windows is because they dont have to deal with "driver problems" cause windows supports a very wide array of devices, secondly because they maintain compatibility with old programs that used to run on Win 95 or even DOS..
Click to expand...

In which world you living? Linux Kernel is the Best Code stack ever written by mankind. . It is used extensively in embedded and server market.don't be surprised if you find that your car runs on Linux:D. it just didn't make a mark desktop market yet. but things do change.

Driver support on Linux is very good. for example take USB 3.0 support.Linux is the first OS way ahead of other commercial os to support USB 3.0 specification. Others are still lagging behind:P

further adding, Driver Support is responsibility of Component Manufacturer. If the Part maker didn't care to write drivers why blame OS for it? even linux developers are willing to write drivers for Component manufacturers for FREE is they provide them necessary documentation. but Manufacturers generally don't bother as the market share of Linux is small compared to other OSes

Its just a number game, more the number of Linux users - the better support you get.
Code: 
1) Some way they could use windows drivers and not require new drivers..

That's Totally flawed approach & not at all efficient . as Running drivers built for windows envirment on Linux kernel is only possible if you emulate windows's system calls & kernel. NDISwrapper is a living example of this approach

And you should not forgot this is the Mighty Google - It has enough "reach" in industry to have proper driver support. manufacturers and OEM are already ready to have their net books run on this OS even before its out. plus as the popularity increases equipments makers would be *forced* by customers to release proper drivers.

I am sure driver problem won't be a issue for Google.
 
Gaurish said:
In which world you living? Linux Kernel is the Best Code stack ever written by mankind, its used everywhere right from embedded system to mission critical applications, don't be surprised if you find that your car runs on Linux:D

Driver support on Linux is very good. for example take USB 3.0 support.Linux is the first OS way ahead of other commercial os to support USB 3.0. Others are still catching on:P
further adding, Driver Support is responsibility of Component Manufacturer. If the Part maker didn't care to write drivers why blame OS for it? even linux developers are willing to write drivers for Component manufacturers for FREE is they provide them necessary documentation. but Manufacturers generally don't bother as the market share of Linux is small compared to other OSes

Code: 
1) Some way they could use windows drivers and not require new drivers..
That's Totally flawed approach & not at all efficient . as Running drivers built for windows envirment on Linux kernel is only possible if you emulate windows's system calls & kernel. NDISwrapper is a living example of this approach

And you should not forgot this is the Mighty Google - It has enough "reach" in industry to have proper driver support. manufacturers and OEM are already ready to have their net books run on this OS even before its out. plus as the popularity increases equipments makers would be *forced* by customers to release proper drivers.

I am sure driver problem won't be a issue for Google.
Click to expand...

You wont need to educate me abt linux..I know its reach in almost al ways possible and when i made that comment you should have analysed it in depth..
When i said driver support i didnt mean generic support. For Eg: my laptop's audio out sounds awesome on Win7, while its trashy on ubuntu..

Secondly its not the manufacturer's problem that an Os is not popular/good enough to be supported with proper drivers..
Secondly,
 
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