(Warning: This is a bit lengthier post!)
Well the internet is abuzz with the news about the new Chrome OS which was unveiled by Google yesterday. All major social networking sites and technology related sites closely monitored and reported the news. TechRadar has posted several screenshots of the Google’s OS. Endgadet has posted videos of Google’s engineers discussing about their new OS.
The news about launch of a new OS by Google hit sometime back. There has been several rumors about the release and some fake screenshots (ComputerWorld, Endgadget, Gizmodo) were also reported to be posted on the internet. It was also reported that it is being developed to primarily focuses on netbooks and it will be centered around its browser. With yesterday’s announcement, all the rumors and speculations were laid to rest.
Google’s OS, named after its browser Chrome. On particular interesting thing I found was that the OS supports solid state devices for storing and accessing information (so, start ditching your current hard drives). You can download the chrome open source from their website www.chromium.org.
Do I really need another ‘OS’?
Well… Yes and No. Yes because my current Vista OS is started showing signs of aging (being buggy and slow) and No because there is quite a few alternatives already available: Windows 7, Apple Mac and Ubuntu Linux.
Windows 7 – It has got positive reviews from many tech websites. It seems that they have set everything right that was wrong in Vista and improved not just UI but usability as well. However, once again, Windows has screwed up the upgrading plans which now essentially it is better to re-install Windows 7 regardless of which version of Vista you are in. The good thing though is you can transfer your data as it is (but loose a couple of default apps in the process).
Apple Mac – well its a Mac and there is nothing else to it. They are reliable and good looking. They do the job quite well except they are a bit pricey.
Ubuntu Linux – It is growing strong these days. With their latest release Karmic Kola, they have done a remarkable job of bringing Linux into the mainstream. I have been using Ubuntu (dual boot in my PC) for about a year or so and I love the user interface and easy at which I could do almost anything at the same level of Windows. Hardware support is no longer a nightmare in linux. Gaming is one area which still needs a lot of hand holding but I am sure they will get there eventually. Of course this may not be a real concern for those who don’t focus on games.
Chrome OS – so what’s new?
The major flaw (as they see it) is that they are all resource hogs and it has a lot of ‘stuff’ that we don’t need or care. So why do you have an operating system which is bloated, non-responsive and full of viruses? With most of your stuff is now online, Google is promoting an OS which is centered around your web browser or in other words – the internet.
This video I saw in YouTube describes what they have done and what’s new. They have basically decided to undo certain boot-up procedures which takes place in our PCs. This generally increases the boot loading time quite dramatically. But how will it affect the performance I am not sure. Will have to wait and see.
In this second video I found, a Google engineer explains how the current boot times are and how they operate versus Google Chrome’s boot up time and operation.
Chrome OS : The Next Gen OS
The more I think about it, the more it makes sense to me. Having a browser-based operating system will enable me to do a lot more tasks quickly. And if its light, secure and easy to use I wouldn’t mind dumping Windows (!) and use Chrome. But remember, this is just a concept with which Google has started out. I am sure it will take a couple of years to get it proper.
But there are a few questions that remain un-answered. The PC market (and even netbook market) ecology revolves around other applications such as games (such as Half Life, Call of Duty), productivity software (such as Office), creativity tools (such as Photoshop, Premier Pro), etc. With introduction of browser-based operating system, how are these apps going to get integrated? Will Google support these apps or will it come up with its own?
Or will we be seeing something new on that front? Perhaps an online version of Photoshop with full features? As Gizmodo points out, if we are to embrace this new OS, then we should also be ready for subscription services which is basically you giving up your ownership of data. Gizmodo rightly put it:
Chrome OS can carry out Google’s LET’S ALL LIVE ON THE INTERNET vision when the conditions are right, eventually. But these are long-term bets, measured in years.That might make sense to a room full of Google engineers. To the rest of us, though? It’s abstract. It’s strange. It seems gimped. It’s largely irrelevant, and it’s not all that exciting. Yet.
– Source: Gizmodo
So what do you think of Google’s Chrome OS? Drop in your comment and let me know…
Sources:
First Google Chrome OS screenshots Leaked?
Are These the First Chrome OS Screenshots?
Chrome OS: The first screenshots – A look at the Google OS
What Google Needs for Chrome OS to Make it?
Google Chrome OS: Rounding Up The Rumors
Google’s Chrome OS revealed — with video!
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