Google announces Chrome OS plans

[haven]

The folks at Google announced today that they plan to produce a
computer operating system called Chrome OS. Chrome will be a
direct rival to Microsoft Windows.

Google plans to release Chrome OS to developers later this year.
Computers that run Chrome OS are likely to become available
through commercial channels in about a year.

I'm guessing that people willing to assume the risks of using beta
software will be running Chrome OS in a couple of months, perhaps
around the time that Microsoft formally releases Windows 7.

One of the design criteria for Chrome OS is a fast startup time.
It takes a minute or more to power up a Windows computer and
be ready to work. A computer equipped with Chrome will be able
to start up "within a few seconds," according to Google. This
feature is very desirable for computers used on the go, such
as a netbook used for navigation in an expedition vehicle.

Chrome is based on a form of unix (probably Linux). As such, the
source code of the OS will be released, and developers will be able
to modify and extend the OS as they see fit.

In a related development, Google announced yesterday that the
"beta" designation has been dropped from several applications that
Google developed, including GMail, Google Docs, Google Calendar
and Google Talk.

If I were Microsoft, I'd be very, very afraid today.

update: here's the Google announcement of Chrome OS
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html

Chip Haven

 

[Pskhaat]

I think Chrome as an underlying system of sorts has been projected and planned-for by MS since rumors soared of Google producing a browser. The browser is the OS now, and really has been for some time.

I think MS will handle it the same way they do of Linux which is yet another collection of perfectly valid OSs that compete in their space. Sounds like BeOS with funding.

Now all that said as it appears Linux kernel underneath, then the Linux camp just got a huge bolstering. I hope that Google's windowing system atop Linux can both forward-and-backward support X11: it certainly is time that X11 get a little updating.

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/0...nces-Chrome-OS-For-Release-Mid-2010?art_pos=8

 

[haven]

It's been over a year since Google released the Chrome OS beta to developers. The open source Chromium Projects have released test versions of the Chromium OS, and the Chrome browser for Windows and Mac. But so far no commercial products built around Chrome have appeared.

Today, rumors surfaced that Verizon is working with smartphone developer HTC to produce an iPad-size tablet running Chrome. The tablet may be available late this Fall.

http://www.downloadsquad.com/2010/08/18/google-verizon-chrome-os-tablet-on-sale-november-26-2010/

Chrome differs from Google Android in that the OS and browser are one and the same. All functions are performed by servers running in the Internet "cloud." So a Chrome tablet is, in effect, a graphics terminal that connects to its CPU via the Internet.

There is no local storage for applications on the tablet. Google will have some sort of online storefront that will keep track of services you have chosen to purchase (or lease, perhaps). The Chrome OS will have provision for storing a stream of data, such as a movie or e-book, for viewing off-line.

The Google Chrome tablet will appeal to people who use web services like Google Search and Gmail, communications services like Skype and Google Voice, and social networking sites like Twitter and Expedition Portal. Google is reported to be working on a printing service that will direct your work product from an online program like Google Docs to a networked printer or personal computer.

I expect that the hardware requirements for the Chrome tablet will allow one to be built for less than $200. The LCD screen is the most expensive part. With Verizon offering a subsidy for the device if you sign up for a data plan, your cost for the Chrome tablet could be less than $100.

Lighter, thinner, and cheaper than an Android tablet, with instant on capability: The Chrome OS device has interesting possibilities.

 

[haven]

On 7 December, Google held a press conference to provide an update on its Chrome operating environment. As you recall, Chrome is expected to power laptops that run applications and store data in the Internet "cloud" instead of locally. Chrome's web browser is the user interface for all the action.

The presenters emphasized improvements to Chrome, including
-- faster page-drawing speed
-- instant search (results appear as you are typing the query)
-- simplicity of setup (particularly if you are already registered to use Google's online apps)
-- built-in PDF viewer
-- support for WebGL graphics

Lots of people raise objections to the idea that their apps and data are not stored locally. What happens when you can't take advantage of the Internet, as on an airplane flight? The latest version of Chrome allows some approved apps to work on locally stored files (coming soon to Google Docs, for example). But it's clear that Chrome expects the lack of Internet access to be a temporary situation.

The new version of Chrome adds the provision to encrypt local data, making it possible to share the Chrome laptop between several people while maintaining security.

This last point helps identify a core audience for Chrome: Business users. Companies spend an ungodly amount of money supporting computer use in the office. Using laptops or "thin client" machines running Chrome to point at company servers would make support much simpler, and could potentially lower the purchase price of the machine.

Citrix produces a program used by many businesses to let PCs and Macs run software on a remote server using a web-like interface. Citrix has announced that they will produce a version of their program for the Chrome environment.

Google also announced an applications store for Chrome. You can use any web browser to view the store contents, but you need to use Chrome to install apps, extensions and themes. It's live now if you want to take a look at the apps. https://chrome.google.com/webstore/

Google says that Chrome will have its first commercial release in mid-2011. Samsung and Acer will provide the first laptops designed for Chrome, and it's certain that other manufacturers will release Chrome models.

One interesting bit of news is that Google is planning a large beta test program of Chrome. The company wants to provide laptop computers loaded with Chrome to as many as 60,000 people. The laptop is a 12 inch model running an Intel processor. Despite looking like a million other laptops that run Windows, the test machine runs Chrome only.

Included with the test laptop is a free contract with Verizon Wireless for a few minutes of 3G Internet access each month, along with the expected WiFi for Internet connections.

If you're interested in being part of the Google Chrome test program, provide your contact information here https://services.google.com/fb/forms/cr48basic/