Google Chrome OS

Martin Brinkmann
Jul 8, 2009
Updated • Mar 20, 2012
Google
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There were always rumors that Google was developing an operating system. We are not speaking about Google Android, the operating system that is being installed on mobile devices like cellphones. No, this time we are talking about an operating system called Google Chrome OS which, as the name implies, is somewhat connected to the Google Chrome web browser. So what exactly is the Google Chrome operating system then?

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.

On the differences between Android and Google Chrome OS:

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.

The operating system will obviously require an Internet connection to work. Even if many web applications can be run locally there is still the need to run some that cannot. That's a bummer for users with no Internet connection and those with slow Internet connections. What happens if the Internet connection becomes unavailable. Google will have to answer many questions like these in the near future.

What's your opinion on the matter? via Google Blog

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Comments

  1. Rarst said on July 8, 2009 at 6:41 pm
    Reply

    It will completely prosper on MID class devices.

    As for world domination that is questionable, Internet is hardly omnipresent and it will take many years for it to be.

    1. Martin said on July 8, 2009 at 7:10 pm
      Reply

      It will be a niche product just like the Google Chrome browser. At least for the next 5-10 years.

  2. RG said on July 8, 2009 at 4:52 pm
    Reply

    They should do like Canonical and support a distro,and then tweak that distro to better offer their web apps and such. A fully fledged local ‘system’ is still needed.

  3. Votre said on July 8, 2009 at 12:53 pm
    Reply

    From a using a terminal on a mainframe; to owning your own PC; right back to a terminal on the successor to the mainframe…

    Sad. After all this time, and all this progress, the slaves put their chains back on. And this time by choice.

    So much for the personal computer revolution.

    Such is the high price of “Cool!”

  4. karthikeyan said on July 8, 2009 at 11:42 am
    Reply

    already using UBUNTU, then y need new one. can develop more with ubuntu.

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