The real deal: Beyond Google's Chrome OS

July 8, 10:47 PMDC Technology ExaminerTanya Gupta

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From the Google Blog

Cloud computing got a big boost this week with the announcement of Chrome, Google's new Web-based operating system.   On thier blog Google said:

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.

Sounds good, but there is a lot to read between the lines.  There are several implications of Google's move, specially coming in light of Google's recent initaitives.  And of couse, not all of it is being spelled out by Google.  What are these ? 

• Well firstly, Google wants to take over the world: And I am only half joking.  With a web based operating system, Google has the opportunity to convert your entire web experience into six words.  Yes G O O G L E.  With a Google operating system, Google search engine, Andorid, Google Apps and other products we have not even seen, Google will be able to define the user experience in a way Microsoft has tried to do but not yet achieved
• Big push to open source: It is pointless at this point to ask if it is just for show, we'll only find out with time - but Google has quickly and cleverly distinguished themselves from the Evil Empire (Microsoft) by making sure that Google Chrome OS will an open source operating system.  This will gain them brownie points with open source enthusiasts and maybe even the free software folks.  They say though, that it will be open source "later this year" so we will have to wait and see if it happens
• Netbook producers will benefit:  Google caught the front of the wave with its interest in netbooks.  2009 sales projections data show netbook shipments, are expected to hit 35 million this year and rise to 139 million in 2013.  Netbook computers are experiencing a “perfect storm” of success that will increase device shipments for the next several years, according to recent analysis by ABI Research.
• Litmus test for Cloud Computing:  If Google is successful in creating a cloud computing environment with web-based Chrome OS, Google Apps and other products which can be accessed from anywhere by anyone with an internet connection, thus eliminating a need for local data and local software, then it would have passed a litmus test for successful cloud computing on a large scale.  

All of the above rests on the single biggest challenge in front of Google today.  And the challenge for Google now is really to ensure that its products are good, trustworthy and bug free.  For instance, I will still use Microsoft Word for important documents that I cannot afford to lose or need to have 24 hour access to.  When users like me trust the Google cloud and all the products in it, only then can Google succeed in the rest of their objectives

Google Blog

Chrome Operating System FAQ