Thought Provoking Tech updates

 

On July 7, 2009, Google Inc has announced the Google Chrome Operating System project to develop a light computer operating system devoted for the World Wide Web.

The new Operating System will be based on Google's Chrome web browser and the Linux kernel. Initially, it will target netbooks and may be released during the second half of 2010. It will run on systems with either x86 or ARM processors.

The company has stated that the Google Chrome Operating System project will be an open source by the end of 2009. Although, it is based on the Linux kernel, it will use "a new windowing system". The Chrome Operating System is being targeted at users who spend most of their time on the Internet and is designed to run on computers ranging from netbooks to desktop computers.

Operating System Partners
Google is working with several companies to develop devices around the new Chrome Operating System, including Hewlett-Packard and Acer. The list also includes Lenovo and Asus, but interestingly Dell is out. However, Dell has announced to tests the upcoming operating system, but did not commit for Linux-based OS products in future.

Among the mobile phone chip developers, Google has formed a nexus with Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Freescale Semiconductor. Although, Intel was not among the partner-companies earlier declered, but the chip maker has claimed that it has been working with Google on its upcoming operating system.

Google Operating System: Challenge for Microsoft & Intel
Google’s entry into the market could represent a threat to Intel and x86. Various analysts predict that Intel’s dominance in the PC market has blamed on the lack of viable substitute products for Microsoft’s Office applications. While Linux and other OS have challenged Windows in the past and recently in netbooks, these attempts have partially failed because of the lack of adequate productivity software that is acceptable and familiar to consumers.

    For Intel, the success of new OS could lead to modest market share loss, as the chip maker could be forced to compete with a number of new, low-cost entrants which are running on less margins as compared to Intel.

The new OS is good news for all computer users. It certainly helps in loosening Microsoft’s grip on the PC market and promises lower prices, higher reliability and smarter design.

The new OS announcement was carefully calculated by the search giant:
•    Timing: Note the 12-18 month delivery, aims MS’s strategic pre-announcements in the market.
•    Pricing: It’s free, as in open-source. But MS will have to fight for every dollar from netbook makers.
•    Target: The new OS aims developers, as it provides the largest user base of any platform.
•    Google aims better computer like a big Smartphone and touches small netbooks to full-size desktop systems, which the company is ceding the server OS market to MS and Linux.

In a Television interview, Google CEO Eric Schmidt claimed that the company's new Chrome Operating System would eventually be on "millions" of personal computers and might eventually take users away from Microsoft Windows. Schmidt also added, "It's certainly also possible that Microsoft will change its strategy to address that."