Do You Know About Google Chrome OS?
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Introduction
to Chrome OS:
In July of
2009, Google announced that they were developing an operating
system in conjunction with manufacturers. The operating system bears the same
name as the Google Web browser, Chrome. Devices started coming out
in 2011 and are readily available in stores today, for about $250 to
$300.
Target Audience for Chrome OS:
Chrome OS
is targeted initially towards netbooks,
super small notebooks designed primarily for Web browsing. Although some
netbooks are sold with Linux, the consumer preference has tended toward Windows
XP.
Google's
vision for Chrome extends beyond the netbook. The operating system may
eventually power full-sized desktop computers, which makes it potential
competition with Windows 7 and the Mac OS. However, Google hasn't seen Chrome
OS as a tablet operating system. Android is Google's tablet OS, because
it's built around a touch-screen interface while Chrome OS still uses a
keyboard and mouse or touchpad.
Chrome OS Availability:
Chrome is available now. You can even download a copy of Chrome
OS for your home computer. You must have Linux and an account with root
access. If you've never heard of a sudo command, you should just buy Chrome
pre-installed on a consumer device.
Google is working with Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale,
Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba, although
that's not a guarantee that any of those companies will create a Chrome OS
computer.
Cr-48 Netbooks:
Google launched a pilot program using a beta version of Chrome
installed on a netbook called the Cr-48.
Developers, educators, and end-users could register for the pilot program, and
a number of them were sent the Cr-48 to test. The netbook came with a limited
amount of free 3G data access from Verizon Wireless. Google
ended the Cr-48 pilot program in March of 2011.
Chrome and Android:
Although Android will run on netbooks, Chrome OS is
being developed as a separate project. Android is designed for running phones
and phone systems. It's not really designed for use on computers. Chrome OS is
designed for computers rather than phones.
To further confuse this distinction, there are rumors that
Chrome is indeed destined to become a tablet OS. Netbook sales have been
eroding as full size laptops become cheaper and tablet computers like the iPad
become more popular. Why would Google need both an Android and Chrome tablet OS
developed by competing teams from the very same company - especially when
developers complain that Android is already too fragmented? That's a very good
question.
Google's I/O developer's conference should shed some light on
Google's Chrome plans going forward. Stay tuned.
Linux:
Chrome
uses a Linux kernel. Long ago there was a rumor that Google planned on
releasing their own version of Ubuntu Linux dubbed "Goobuntu." This isn't exactly
Goobuntu, but the rumour is no longer quite as crazy.
Google OS Philosophy:
Chrome OS is really designed as an operating
system for computers that are only used for connecting to the Internet. Rather
than downloading and installing programs, you just run them in your Web browser
and store them on the Internet. In order to make that possible, the OS has to
boot up very quickly, and the Web browser has to be extremely fast. Chrome
OS will likely make
both of those happen.
Will it be
enticing enough for users to buy a netbook with Chrome OS instead of Windows? That's
uncertain. Linux hasn't made a huge dent in Windows sales, and it's been
developed for much longer. However, cheap devices and a simple, easy to use
interface may just entice users to switch.
