On the 7th July 2009 Google announced its own operating system Chrome OS based on Linux and other open source technologies. Chrome OS will in its look & feel resemble Google Chrome web browser and web browser actually will be single application installed on the Chrome OS powered devices. The new OS will be released in July 2010 with first devices coming from major computer manufacturers. Chrome OS is supposed to run on:
- Tablets
- Netbooks
- Notebooks &desktops.
Each of the Chrome OS version will have modified input and display methods to fit the specifics of the device. After success of Google’s mobile devices operating system Android. Chrome OS announcement has been considered as an openly communicated aspiration to replace Microsoft’s “application’s eco system” including its core product Windows.
From Google, it is definitely a bold step. However, is operating system on a computer still important? Do we really care about OS underlying infrastructure and communication standards or we care more about applications and GUI (Graphical User Interface)?
I believe that role of the role of OS today is less important unless it fails to cope with basic requirements for stability and security. On the other hand, given the current stagnant homogenised retail OS environment led by Windows, followed by MacOS and Linux, where major innovations are originating from 1970s, there is a room for improvement.
- What could be changed at current OS:
- Speed of booting up
- Access to documents from anywhere / any device
- Minimum interference with what user does
- Increase Security
- GUI easier to use
- What Chrome OS offers:
- Speed booting and immediate Internet access (in 2sec)
- Data accessibility across platforms and devices (on line documents storage)
- Worry less about drivers (Cloud printing)
- Enhanced security (physical developer / admin button)
- GUI resembles web surfing
"The promise of Chrome and Chrome OS is that the devices that you give to your employees will have a 2-second boot time, will be completely disposable and the price will be incredibly low." (Eric Schmidt at Atmosphere, 12.04.2010)
Does it mean that Chrome OS is the new big thing? I would like it to be so. Unfortunately, there is a major issue in its deployment strategy to the market.
If you have to get Chrome OS with new computer without possibility to download it and install side by side with your current operating system, its penetration will considerably slow down.
If Chrome OS would run on the same machines as Windows and MacOS does, users would boot into Chrome OS in just 2 secs in comparison to 43 secs with Windows in case that they would like “just” to check their email, chat on Facebook or watch videos on YouTube. Later, they would find out that they do not need their “main” OS that much, because Google Docs can do basic word processing and spreadsheet job and store their documents on-line. That would ultimately hit Windows market share. Why Google didn’t choose this compelling strategy is mystery to me.
As Google went into shipment with new computer devices model, it also chose its competition consisted of:
- Microsoft Windows / MacOS esp. on notebooks with standby / hibernate feature
- Apple iPhone OS on iPad / iPad in general
- Linux on netbooks
I think that Chrome OS makes greatest sense on tablet devices, therefore the toughest battle will be with the iPad. We can see similar situation between Android mobile devices and iPhone.
In conclusion, I think that Chrome OS can make a difference at the outdated OS marketplace. However, its shipment strategy is flawed and will hinder its market inception. At the same time, Chrome OS might had a bright future in tablet devices, provided tablet manufacturers will adopt it quickly and will create similarly “sexy” devices as iPad.
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