Eleven Questions About Google’s Chrome OS

By  |  Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:55 pm

chromeosHere’s one of those breaking stories that’s stunning at first–until you think about it, whereupon it feels like it was always inevitable. Google announced tonight that it’s working on an operating system for PCs, turning a hypothetical scenario that’s been around for years into reality. Almost by definition, it’s the most direct attack possible on the Microsoft hegemony, since it puts Google into competition with Windows itself.

Google isn’t revealing much in the way of specifics, other than that the OS is an open-source project based on its Chrome browser with a Linux kernel, and that it’s working with multiple hardware manufacturers to bring it to x86- and ARM-based netbooks in the second half of next year. It says the goal is to build an OS that boots in seconds and runs Web apps really well.

Like many big Google announcements (such as the unleashing of Chrome itself last September) this one prompts more questions than it answers. Such as the first eleven that popped into my head…

1. Why would Google do this? The blog post says it’s to make computer users happy and productive:

We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better. People want to get to their email instantly, without wasting time waiting for their computers to boot and browsers to start up. They want their computers to always run as fast as when they first bought them. They want their data to be accessible to them wherever they are and not have to worry about losing their computer or forgetting to back up files. Even more importantly, they don’t want to spend hours configuring their computers to work with every new piece of hardware, or have to worry about constant software updates. And any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the Internet.

Very noble. But ithe digs at Microsoft are unmistakable. I think it’s in Google’s blood to go after markets that Microsoft dominates, introducing alternatives that are simpler, Webbier, and free. Hence Gmail, Google Docs, and Chrome–and now Chrome OS.

For a company that’s Microsoft’s greatest rival, Google is currently profoundly dependent on Microsoft, since the vast majority of people who use Google services and software do so via a Microsoft operating system. By developing its own operating system, Google gets a shot at having a direct relationship with consumers in a way that only Microsoft and Apple do today.

2. Why Chrome, Not Android? There’s been scuttlebutt about netbooks running Android, but Chrome OS is an extension of the company’s browser, not its mobile OS. Google addresses this in the blog post:

Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.

Sounds reasonable. But by building an OS based on a browser, Google is, essentially, making the browser an autonomous environment that renders OSes like Windows and Android superfluous. That’s a way more powerful idea than putting a phone OS on a little notebook computer.

3. Why would a PC manufacturer want it? I can’t imagine that any major one looks at Chrome OS as an opportunity to dump Windows–these Chrome netbooks will almost certainly be released as complements to Windows machines, not replacements. Still, I can think of lots of reasons why a computer company might like the idea of an OS from Google, especially for low-cost computers. The low cost of netbooks is making it tough for Microsoft to realize the profit margin it’s accustomed to getting, which is causing hassles for PC makers and consumers. Google isn’t saying how much it plans to charge for Chrome OS, but if Android is any indication it may simply give it away, giving PC builders a chance to sell netbooks that are both cheaper and more profitable than Windows models. And Chrome OS will run on ARM chips as well as x86 ones, giving manufacturers the opportunity to bypass Intel and AMD if they feel like it.

4. Just how Web-based can (and should) an OS be? Google says that “most of the user experience takes place on the web,” talks about data being available anywhere and safe from loss, and says that software updates are a pain. All of that would seem to suggest that the portion of Chrome OS that lives on the netbook will be as minimal as possible. It’s a fascinating idea, and a continuation of a trend that’s already in progress. But just how useful will a Chrome OS netbook be when you can’t get online? Even if it supports Google Gears and therefore has some ability to run offline-capable Web apps such as Gmail, it’s not clear how a computer with a largely Web-based interface can be completely useful when you’re on a twelve-hour overseas flight on a plane with no Wi-Fi. I’m guessing that Google expects that by the time Chrome OS netbooks ship, there will be both more good offline apps and fewer places where there’s no connectivity.

5. What’s the deal with hardware? Chrome OS is based on a Linux kernel, which will help with support for printers and other devices. But there’s plenty of stuff which consumers want which has no official Linux support. Like iPods and iPhones, for instance. Will Google make them work? Are the manufacturers of those products going to be excited enough about Chrome OS to write drivers?

6. What’s the deal with software? Chrome OS will run Web apps. So do Windows and OS X–but they run scads of traditional software, too. Chrome OS is based on Linux–does that mean it’ll run Linux apps? Or would that be cheating?

7. What’s the UI going to be like? I know a lot of Windows, OS X, and Linux users who don’t want to admit this, but all modern operating systems have interfaces that are more alike than different. The differences are largely in the elegance of the implementation. Will Chrome have a Taskbar/Dock equivalent? How about folders? Are there going to be any startling fresh ideas, in the way that the Chrome browser dispensed with much of the clutter of other browsers?

8. What are the security implications? The Chrome browser isn’t an impenetrable fortress, but you gotta thank that Google has a shot at writing an OS that’s less likely to be rife with holes than Windows (or, for that matter, OS X). I’m not sure if the fact that the company doesn’t bring up security as an issue in the blog post means anything. (Actually, the blog post does brag about Chrome OS’s security–I just missed it. But I’m still curious just how safe it’ll be in the real world.)

9. Will consumers buy a Google netbook? At first, it seemed like other versions of Linux had a shot at being popular netbook OSes, but it didn’t pan out and even Ubuntu has not yet solved the “Would I recommend this to my grandma?” problem.  For all its downsides, Windows is the world’s most familiar operating system, with the largest library of apps and broadest hardware support. Google’s blog post sets the bar high in terms of ambition for what it’s trying to bring to consumers. It’ll have to deliver in spades to make Chrome OS netbooks truly appealing alternatives to Windows systems in the real world.

10. Just how serious is Google about this? Google Apps is nifty, but doesn’t seem to have put a noticeable dent in Microsoft Office’s market share. The Chrome browser is impressive, but the company hasn’t even managed to get it onto OS X yet. When Google products are new, it’s often hard to tell whether the company sees them as core to its future or as quirky experiments. We don’t yet know enough about Chrome OS to know whether it’s the next Gmail–or the next Knol.

11. How will Microsoft react? Even if Chrome OS turns out to be one of the most massive hits that the tech world has ever seen, it’s not going to crush Windows anytime soon. I’m assuming that Microsoft is intrigued but not alarmed by tonight’s news, and that it’s been expecting something along these lines. We don’t know much about its Midori project, but it’s supposedly a post-Windows, Web-based OS–and might form the basis for Microsoft’s answer to Chrome OS. Assuming it needs one.

Okay, I’m out of questions for now. Sounds like we have at least a year to ask more of ’em. I’d love to hear your initial reaction to all this…

 
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41 Comments For This Post

  1. ispigel Says:

    The bigger question than Midori is Singularity – a longtime OS research project within MS Research. Will Microsoft finally push it into the real world? With Chrome OS being Linux-based, the kernel technology is still ancient, while Singularity is a next-generation kernel.

  2. Simon Says:

    It doesn’t sound like it’ll be installable on existing hardware. Bummer.

  3. Robert Says:

    Very interesting and I guess those are very good questions. I bought a notebook a few years back with a fairly custom version of Windows XP. I believe I’ve had one BSOD in the last 4 years. Now why would I want to move over to the Google Chrome OS with that kind of a performance from my Windows machine? Especially when WinXP is infinitely more compatible with the world.

    I’m a big fan of Linux and have run SuSe for years, but I just don’t see the world moving over to Chrome in a hurry. This may over time hog the netbook market which seems more likely with the array of Google Products on offer.

  4. Pallab Says:

    Why did they do it?
    Google has its roots in the web. They see the web as a platform and the os as a mere enabler. They already have a browser, they already have a platform for developing richer applications with tighter integration with the desktop(Gears). All that was left was the OS.
    This is a step towards their vision of a richer web.

    Whats in it for PC manufacturers?
    They aren’t going to dump windows for gOS. In fact Chrome OS is targetted towards a specific market. Its excellent for netbooks. And in future may become a viable option for SOHO and Copororates.
    However, the casual users (who like playing occasional games) or the professional users (who need MS Office or Adobe PS) wont dump Windows.

    I’m not sure if the fact that the company doesn’t bring up security as an issue in the blog post means anything.

    Not true.Here is what they said about security

    Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

    How serious is Google about this?
    Pretty damn serious. This is a necessary step to fulfill their vision. I already gave the eg of Google Gears and Chrome to demonstrate how google has been carefully working towards this for a long time.

    Anyway, you can read my ananlysis here : http://www.pallab.net/2009/07/08/google-os-is-here-and-its-called-chrome/

  5. Marc Says:

    Question 12: How will they make money from it?

  6. jagraham Says:

    My guess is that this is going to be an OS primarily for netbooks, there’s no way this would be even comparable to any Windows or Linux OS on a fairly high end laptop. The problem for me is that they’re basing their OS online; on a tiny netbook which is designed for only the internet or maybe a static desktop with a permanent internet connection, this might work. But again for a normal laptop, if you have no connection, what you can do is going to be limited.

    And another thing; personally I don’t need my computer to be any more web-orientated than it already is, Firefox already does everything I want it to. And Google saying that data will be available anywhere and with little risk of loss suggests that they’re planning on storing a lot of your personal files in the cloud, which in itself is a bit of a security risk.

  7. ediedi Says:

    I’m very suspicious towards any move towards ‘cloud’-computing. I just don’t see it ever happening on a large scale.
    I sure wouldn’t want all my data and apps residing only on some server on another continent controlled by a single company.

  8. Disputatore Says:

    Most Google projects, apart from the search engine, are not a commercial success. Will this one be another one of those?

  9. petieg Says:

    “I’m not sure if the fact that the company doesn’t bring up security as an issue in the blog post means anything.” How can you say they don’t mention security as an issue in their post? Uuuhh… love your posts, but sometimes i feel like you’re becoming ‘like the rest of the bloggers’ — and providing too much FUD …

    “The OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don’t have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.”

  10. pond Says:

    Anybody else think ‘Crunchpad!’ when they read about this?

    This is designed for minimal hardware. It wouldn’t need a hard drive or more than a few gigs of flash memory. Boots in a few seconds to Chrome to your Chrome homepage (default? probably google.com or your google gadgets homepage)

    Why would OEMs consider this? Why would companies consider this? Well…

    Look at it from another angle: this is so cheap you will buy it not from BestBuy but from Verizon, or Sprint, or ATT.

    Another interesting way to look at this is, ‘Why Chrome?’ Look at the history of Chrome itself:

    1. 2000 or so, the google guys are thinking, ‘We really ought to make our own browser.’ But the top boys weren’t convinced, nothing was done.
    2. Then at last they gave the Chrome team the chance. This team rethought the browser, windows, security, javascript enhancements, sandboxing, webapps.
    3. Finally, 2008, Chrome is released, in beta, only on one platform (MS-Windows, indicating the true target is MSFT and any moves that MSFT might make to engineer IE to block the Google online apps).

    OK, now a couple years or so ago, maybe, the google guys are thinking, ‘We really ought to make our own OS.’ This is when the rumors started emerging, denied by the company.

    And now we are onto stage 2 of the Chrome process: the top boys have signed on, and are giving the go-ahead to the Chrome team. But UNLIKE the history of Chrome, this time it’s out in the open and public, indicating the top boys are more committed, for they will lose much face should they later back out.

    And one last interesting wrinkle or two:

    1. It will give the push to ‘Chromium’ on Linux, possibly over and above Chrome for MS-Windows.
    2. Google is starting to inculcate intra-company rivalries and turf wars. Android team vs. ChromeOS team! This is not a good sign for the company. If profits ever should collapse at Goog, then one of these two teams would be ripe for layoffs and termination. They both should know this.

    So it looks like a horse race: Android has the lead, but Chrome has the latest buzz. Which one will be crowned winner, which will be dropped into the ash-heap of obsolete software history?

  11. altrenda Says:

    1. Why is Google doing this? To serve more ads on the web, and eliminate any way for other companies to serve ads.

  12. Félix GG Says:

    “Linux apps”… you mean GNU Project apps? If Chrome OS is an UNIX-like, I don’t think there’s problem. I’m waiting for try that OS 🙂

  13. Anonymous Says:

    Doesn’t Microsoft already have a browser-based OS in the works–what the heck was that Gazelle project about? Combine that with Midori and/or Singularity, and it sounds like Google’s project isn’t as ambitious or ground-breaking as the press makes it out to be.

    But that doesn’t mean I’m dismissing Google’s announcement–the fact that they’re developing their own windowing-system/UI could be groundbreaking for Linux. It seems like most distros are using some variation of Gnome or KDE, but I don’t think “design by committee” is the best approach for a UI/UX. Google might have the best shot at designing something fresh, new and bold that competes with OS X’s Aqua/Cocoa in terms of “slickness”.

    As far as how this plays out with OEMs–I would expect Chrome OS to compete with Moblin or Ubuntu Netbook Remix for that segment of the PC market, especially on netbooks sold with embedded WWAN through carriers. For more powerful machines, I’d expect to see Chrome OS as an “instant-on” complement to Windows or another OS, provided that Google and OEMs get the right EFI integration in place (could the entire OS fit inside an EEPROM?)

  14. jake kellirs Says:

    in a year, a netbook without a MS tax could be $200.
    with MS’s restrictions, you can’t use a 12 inch screen,
    and since that has almost no cost premium, its a hand
    size, no bigger than most people’s yellow pads, books
    etc. But you can’t use 12″ screens and use Window 7.

    The bulk of the computer users don’t spend more than a
    a dozen of so hours of cruise time in a plane. The
    bulk of the users don’t need a large screen, but they
    probably need, will need glasses. Their spreadsheets
    are non existence, they don’t write more than a page or
    two in one memo, letter. Web is therefore fine. They
    might be scared of linux, but if you just have a
    browser, your good. bring your novel on the plane,
    and you’ve now covered 90+% of the real market … non
    geeks etc. A netbook does fine, more doesn’t really
    do alot, except for power users and watching DVDs on
    a plane (you’ve got a player at home don’t you?)

    So, in a year, a 12″ netbook will meet an astonishing
    number of use cases of regular users who are only
    waiting for the boot to finish so that they can click
    on the browser to do their surfing, emailng etc. more
    is just not the main use case for mass usage. how
    much tech support or complexity is there when you use
    a browser. if the site doesn’t work, you go to another
    run by someone / company more competent.

  15. Riaz Kanani Says:

    check out Microsoft Gazelle – Microsoft’s answer to Chrome OS: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10280270-56.html

    and also my take on Chrome OS for the mainstream.. http://bit.ly/17VLsI

  16. @RelativeTheory Says:

    aren’t they taking on too much?

  17. Stephen Says:

    This is an attack on Intel more than it is an attack on Microsoft. Creating a seamless UI experience across X86 and ARM gives high end ARM chips a great platform to compete in the “bigger than 7″ screen” space.

    A $20 multi-core ARM chip now has a market against a $40 Atom chipset.

    Spinning a great multi-core ARM SOC would have a strong market.

  18. neurotype Says:

    Interesting business, it sounds more like a way to make netbooks profitable than anything else, though. Google has never seemed like the type of company that could build something along the lines of a Windows or Mac OS–but then, maybe it isn’t necessary.

  19. axtonia Says:

    I like how Google continues to guide the media’s focus away from the perception that they’re a powerhouse (undercover) advertising agency…I’m just saying.

  20. Andrew Mager Says:

    Harry, great post. I can’t wait to try it out.

    It’s funny that Google builds an operating system based on the name of their web browser. I wouldn’t mind doing everything in the browser.

  21. Brian Says:

    http://panthersfanatic.net/

  22. b8189uv Says:

    Nice post, I think to many speculation on how Chrome OS looks like would be, better wait and see 🙂

  23. spiderpoman Says:

    I am sure it’s going to be great!, I love the name “Google” especially when it’s translated to Chinese

  24. Alex Says:

    The most hopefull thing for me is for it to be an os which is simply a web browser. nothing else. set a computer to multi boot and when you are in a hurry you start chromeOS up and you get chrome. Just browse the web and use web based programs. Minimal background prossesses allowing for faster browsing on weak computers and battery savings. For regular things boot to your primary (windows, mac, ubuntu, etc). That sounds like the ideal to me and the only way I could see it actually being usefull.

  25. Everton Xavier Says:

    I don’t think this OS will be a Microsoft “Killer” but also don’t think is insignificant to Microsoft that they will simply ignore it. If I have to bet, we all will be in retirement homes and Microsoft will still be the dominant player.
    What this Google OS does in conjunction with Apple MacOS, with the Software as a Service trend, with Cloud computing and Virtualization is to provoke Microsoft to review and improve their products and rethink the way they monetize.
    Microsoft can no longer release dubious products like Vista and expect people to adopt it, Microsoft needs also to consider software as s service to replace some of their licensing schemes, so they can truly get people to adopt their products on developing countries and fight piracy and even, for not their fault on their own, security issues this pirate copies have as people tend to “forget” their copy is pirate and blame Microsoft for this “bad software”.

    In summary, the 800 pound Gorilla will continue to be the market leader but it needs to get more active!

  26. Ankush Says:

    I think this will have serious usability in developing countries like India where people are still devoid of basic computing. With the advent of netbook, people have picked up computing like never before. While in most of the Europe and other developed markets, netbooks are sold as the second, or perhaps even the third computer, countries like India are picking it up as a stepping stone to connect with the web and do basic office jobs.

    Now with the announcement of Chrome OS [am coining it here as ChrOS :)], OEMs can look to re-negotiate their contracts with Microsoft to ship XP on it; hence it should be a good situation for hardware manufacturers as well.

    Also, praise it as you might, but XP is an old warhorse and needs to be rested, its high time now! Microsoft can’t continue supporting it. And the gap that Microsoft made by designing a vulnerable and painfully slow OS (Vista) between XP and Win7, can be rightfully filled by ChrOS.

    Also, I agree with Alex above that both your main OS and ChrOS can co – exist, depending upon the need of the hour.

    All, I am concerned about is the interface and the value proposition it brings vis – a – vis the competition; Google should look to launch something pathbreaking which would turn the market on its head…

  27. Hamranhansenhansen Says:

    Chrome OS is about HTML 5. If you imagine it with today’s Web you keep wanting a native application platform. In a couple of years, Chrome OS may seem just like Windows to most people, with 98% of the apps running locally, each in their own browser window, but the apps will have the I-T overhead of a Web page. If the only native app that can run is Chrome then it is easier to make a secure system.

    Also, Chrome OS runs HTML 5 Web apps, not Internet Explorer Web apps. That is important because everybody but Microsoft is behind HTML 5 and IE cost publishers much lost time and effort. If Verizon is giving away Google Netbooks for free with 2-year data plan, it gives developers a reason to make HTML 5 instead of IE specific stuff. The iPhone and other mobiles are a similar reason to use HTML 5.

    This could also be perfect for “Facebook computers” or “Wave computers” that are mention to always run Facebook or Wave and free up your other computer to run anti-virus on its Windows without interruption. Wave fixes the broken Word in email workflow many are using for very slow, very expensive Web publishing. Word has no Publish command, it’s still stuck in the Print paradigm. There are a lot of opportunities for saving time and effort if Chrome OS brings together powerful enough Web apps in an easy to use way.

    Windows XP with Office 2003 is 1980’s technology designed for making business letters. There is plenty of room to innovate in business computing.

    Microsoft sells a very basic Windows that has less value than just running Chrome on Linux. And Windows is always insecure and has many problems. I can see a lot of systems shipping with Chrome and Windows will be sort of an upgrade if you need it, more and more.

  28. John T Says:

    I am not sure where this product will fit into a consumer or commercial lineup. Commercial linux software is limited in such areas as oil, health and financial fields. Chrome will not address these. Microsoft has created too more or less not as practical as needed for commercial usage, Vista is not backward compatable to many commercial xp products and Windows 7 is even worse!!!!!!! Bottom line, if one wants to play around with operating systems. Keep XP for work, Vista and Win 7 for home use and Chrome for playing on the web. And, by the way one can get an electronic sata drive switch so that you can choose up to 4 different operating systems to fit your needs.

  29. Midnitte Says:

    There are a lot of existing virtual os or webtops http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_desktop that looks better then this screenshots. For example check this one http://www.windows4all.com

  30. Pinoytech Says:

    i tried Chrome OS and it is pretty much like a scaled down version of Ubuntu. Chrome is just based on Linux and there is not much innovation in it.

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    Вопросик вот такой возник, а кто может объяснить девушке как добавить этот блог в избранное?

  32. RFC Says:

    Like it or not Windows is the predominant OS. Sure there is Mac OS and Linux as well, but really no other OS has the plethora of applications both commercial and open source to rival Windows (yet). Google’s new upcoming OS won’t be replacing most people’s desktop operating systems anytime soon, you won’t be able to play games on it for a start.

    Sure a cloud based operating system is a great idea, but unless it is for a tablet PC / Netbook or Laptop it isn’t of much use; a cloud based OS won’t be able to support gaming and some applications that rely on propietry operation system APIs and languages to function correctly.

    Google switching to Linux makes sense, but they won’t ever be able to completely migrate to Linux for quality and testing reasons. Also, most operating systems are quite secure, it’s the software that interfaces with the operating system itself that is the cause of most exploits in all major operating systems and rarely within the operating system itself.

    Cloud based computing still has a little while to go before it can truly replace an operating system.

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  36. Schwertransport Says:

    I just hope that the Google OS is not like Windows and the Browser doesn't become as important, as is Windows. You can't deinstall the Chrome Browser from the Chrome OS…omg 🙂

  37. AML Says:

    I just have a big feeling the Google will soon dominate the world of technology. Google is already the god of search engines, Google is also has the lightest browser for me. Besides that Google already had google phone or chrome phone, and Google+ which i already made an account with. And now this, i just can't imagine what Google will add in the future, Google just has a lot of projects. I hope someday i could have the privilege to work with the famous Google company.

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  40. technogies.com Says:

    well google is new on OS therefore in start their application will be lumpi and don't expect like Microsoft OS. This is a "Technogies" and may be submitted on Technogies.

  41. GlobalTechnologyBlog Says:

    well Anonymous i want to explain here that google Chrome OS is initially intended for secondary devices like netbooks, not as a user's primary PC, and will run on hardware incorporating an x86 or ARM-based processor.[8] While Chrome OS will support hard disk drives, Google has requested that its hardware partners use solid-state drives "for performance and reliability reasons" as well as the lower capacity requirements inherent in an operating system that accesses applications and most user data on remote servers. In November 2009 Matthew Papakipos, engineering director for the Google Chrome OS claimed that the Chrome OS consumes one-sixtieth as much drive space as Windows

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    […] by Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Linus Upson, engineering director, is Google’s most direct assault to date on Microsoft Windows, which has ruled the desktop operating system software market for […]

  13. Tech Club | Small Business Technology News and Innovations Says:

    […] Eleven Questions About Google’s Chrome OS […]

  14. Google’s Chrome OS Security Claims: Idiotic? | Technologizer Says:

    […] all:&nbspNews Among the things that Google says about its upcoming Chrome OS is that it’s going to shine from a security standpoint: And as we did for the Google Chrome […]

  15. curtis schweitzer (dot) net | Google’s Convergence Says:

    […] the Google OS unseat Windows and OS X as the world’s dominant operating system? Of course not– Google doesn’t even want it to. As far as their concerned, as long as people are using […]

  16. Would You Buy a Non-Windows, Non-OS X PC? | Technologizer Says:

    […] means they’ll run some flavor of Linux–perhaps Moblin (backed by Intel) or, eventually, Google’s Chrome oS. We know they won’t run Windows–not unless Microsoft comes up with a really cheap, […]

  17. Chrome OS: What We Know and Don’t Know | Technologizer Says:

    […] all: News Four months ago, Google announced it was working on an operating system for netbooks called Chrome OS. Today, at a press event at the Googleplex which I attended, the company demonstrated it in public […]

  18. Google Unveils Chrome OS; Tech World Yawns « The Latest News on Anything and Everything! Says:

    […] Chrome OS. The press event confirmed what was suspected when Google announced it was working on a netbook operating system four months ago — it wouldemphasize speed and simplicity. As the tech world tests versions of […]

  19. Google Chrome OS Q&A: What We Know and Don’t Know | Vybes.com - Tech News, Reviews, Business, Health News and More Says:

    […] months ago, Google announced it was working on an operating system for netbooks called Chrome OS. Today, at a press event at the Googleplex which I attended, the company demonstrated it in public […]

  20. Are Netbooks (Finally) Doomed? | Findtechnews.net Blogs Says:

    […] Google is going to try and inject some new excitement into netbooks later this year when the first Chrome OS models come […]

  21. Can a Chrome OS Tablet Make It Without Apps? Says:

    […] if Chrome OS didn’t wind up on one or more tablets in the next few months. When Google announced the OS thirteen months ago, it looked like a glimpse of one potential future for personal computing. But the intended […]

  22. Chrome OS and Android: Questions, Questions, and More Questions Says:

    […] the company announced Chrome OS in July of 2009, it was a different era–one in which netbooks were very nearly sexy and the tablet market […]