The Truth About Google Chrome OS

by rahsheen

November 23, 2009

Google Chrome OS got so much coverage this past week that I almost didn’t write about it. Most of your standard tech blogs wrote multiple posts covering it and it doesn’t even come out for another year or so. With all of the buzz and hype surrounding it, I figured it was important that we understand what Google Chrome OS is and what it actually means (or doesn’t mean) for our future.

What is Google Chrome OS?

I find it hard to think about Google Chrome OS as an actual Operating System. Because Google Chrome OS is actually based on Linux, I see it as just that: another flavor of Linux. Google Chrome OS is not something that you will be able to download and install on your computer. It’s being built specifically for a special class of supported netbook computers (tiny, underpowered laptops made mostly for web browsing).

At the core of Google’s new “Operating System” is the Chrome web browser. Even though it’s still young and coming into it’s own, Google Chrome has been my default web browser for a while now. The primary reason for this is that it’s fast and efficient. It gets the job done. Chrome also makes it simple to turn your favorite web applications into shortcuts on your desktop. While the application shortcut feature is really just a conceptual thing on your average desktop, it takes on new meaning in the Chrome OS world where you don’t actually have anything but web applications.

When you boot into Chrome OS, all you get is a Chrome web browser. There is no desktop. There are no real applications. There is no filesystem to speak of. It’s all web, all the time. Even when you connect a USB drive or other device, the media still opens up in the browser.

What Will It Change?

Google Chrome OS is not going to enter the OS market and challenge Apple and Microsoft. Anyone that says this needs to leave that stuff alone. GCOS is something different from your standard OS and could never completely replace the desktop as we know it. This is especially true given the fact that it only runs on customized netbooks created for that specific purpose.

One thing that Google Chrome OS could do is expand Internet access to the masses. Netbooks are cheap and Google Chrome OS is free. The combination could lower the bar for Internet access to millions of people worldwide. Google Chrome OS won’t be officially released for another year or so, but you can already run it in a virtual machine.

If you really want to see what Google Chrome OS will be like, just install the Chrome web browser. Create some application shortcuts. Instead of using all those desktop applications, do more things in the browser. Store some data in the cloud. You never know, you might discover a whole knew way to get things done.

Category: News | Tags: chrome, google, os

Wm_Tucker

It's clear that Google Chrome OS is designed to facilitate 'cloud computing' -- a shifting of the infrastructure (mostly applications) used by PCs from the desktop/laptop device to a data center/network. In theory, Chrome OS represents a direct and viable threat to the status quo in operating systems as it doesn't require the microprocessor power or disk space needed with other OSs, and therefore reduces the cost of the computer itself. AAMOF, Chrome OS is designed for netbooks; their x86 or ARM microprocessors, and solid state hard drives.

Chrome OS' influence upon expanding Internet access will be indirect, at best. Yes, it makes the computer itself more affordable, but consumers will still face fees averaging $40/month (for broadband). And consumers will likely have to pay for the various applications, i.e.; word processing, spreadsheets, etc., that they'll use.

NoFace

Open office is free and so is wifi in some hot spots

Wm_Tucker

Yes, but you have to download OpenOffice and StarOffice onto your PC's hard drive, for which a larger, more expensive hard drive is needed over what comes in a netbook.

Anonymous

"Chrome OS is not something that you will be able to download and install on your computer."

Not true, you just have to have compatible hardware or VM runtime environmnet. I have it running on 3 computers that aren't netbooks right now.

mikeydigital

The anonymous poster is correct. To get Chrome OS up and running this early in the game you first need to download Chrome OS from gadget Website gdgt (registration required) or a torrent from Pirate Bay. After that, you need to download a VM solution such as VMWare or VirtualBox.

Techcrunch has a step-by-step guide if you decide to use VirtualBox as your VM solution. Here is the link: http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/11/19/guide-inst...

A_Corner_Of_The Internet

GOOG is moving everyone (masses) to cloud computing. No need for hard drives or any need to wonder will this work on Vista, XP, or a MAC. Everything you do on the Chrome OS will be stored in the clouds (Pics, video, audio, files, etc)

This is truly revolutionary, we were already headed that way..how many desktop apps did you use a few years ago that you don't use now. It takes a powerhouse like GOOG to push us over the edge.

If you are a web developer/Entrepreneur you better start brainstorming...you got a whole year to catch that money wave!!

rbonini

Expand the internet to the masses??? You sound like Al Gore.

Everyone that can afford the internet has it already. This is about bringing mobile browsing to the masses.However, every tom dick and harry that has an iPhone or Android, Blackberry, HTC or half capable Nokia is already doing that.