Google Chrome Operating System

[crustyasp46]

More Analysts Dismiss Google Chrome Operating System

Google's Chrome operating system (OS) took one step closer to wider release recently when the company announced it had begun shipping netbooks equipped with the operating system to selected beta testers. But despite reports (mostly from Google) that Chrome will trump Windows' speed and security features, at least one analyst says there's nothing for Microsoft to fear just yet.



In a presentation to announce Chrome OS' move toward more rigorous testing, Google CEO Eric Schmidt pointed to the operating system's faster startup and installation times, in addition to impressive security features, as proof that his company is ready to compete in a market space traditionally dominated by Microsoft and Apple.

Google Chrome OS: Not Much Impact in the "Near Term"

But Aberdeen Group analyst Andrew Borg thinks it will take a very long time and a lot of good fortune before Chrome OS will have any dramatic impact on Windows.

"I don't think there'll be much impact in the near term," Borg said.

"The notion of a cloud-centric operating system vs. a file format-centric operating system does make a lot of sense. But it requires ubiquitous broadband connectivity and widely accessible cloud storage. I don't think we're quite there at the utility or appliance level, which is what you need to replace the Wintel laptop concept." (Source: networkworld.com)

Borg isn't alone in taking this position. Researchers for IDC recently reported their belief that Chrome OS will fail to even crack Windows dominance in the netbook market, despite the fact that the Google operating system will be specifically targeted at these devices.

IDC believes Windows' share of the netbook market will remain steady at about 95 per cent until at least 2014. Chrome will battle with Android and Linux for the leftovers, researchers say.

Acer, Samsung Ready for Chrome Operating System

Google, of course, does not agree with these sentiments. Not long ago one of its executives, Linus Upson, was heard saying approximately 60 per cent of all businesses could easily switch out Windows in favor of Chrome OS.

Google also points to the commitment of hardware makers Acer and Samsung to produce Chrome-based netbooks by next summer. Collectively, these two companies represent more than one-third of the total netbook systems on the market.

Still, these reports from Aberdeen and IDC will not help build up good feeling around the Chrome name. Neither will a recent study by Computerworld that finds the most recent version of Google's Chrome web browser falls short of the performance improvements boasted by the company. (Source: computerworld.com)

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Swap Windows for Google OS? Not Likely, say Critics


There are plenty of rumors about the final release date for Google's Chrome operating system (OS), but that hasn't stopped the search giant from touting its wide-ranging applications.



In a recent report, a Google executive boasts that most businesses could easily switch out Windows in favor of Chrome OS once the final version is released to the public.

Chrome OS Stripped Down, Simplified

Google's upcoming Chrome operating system is designed to be a stripped-down and simplified operating system that competes directly with Microsoft's Windows and Apple's Leopard.

Few industry insiders have a clue as to when the final version of the highly-anticipated Chrome OS will reach the wider public -- some reports suggest this December, while others say 2011, and still others think it won't ever reach consumers.

Google: 60 Per Cent of Businesses Could Make Switch

The latter situation seems fairly unlikely, given a recent report from the New York Times on the subject. In the report, Chrome OS chief and Google vice president of engineering Linus Upson notes that the company's new operating system has been deployed to the systems of some Google employees.

He also made one more, controversial statement. According to the report, Upson notes that immediately upon the release of Chrome OS, about 60 per cent of businesses could make the switch from Windows to the Google operating system without difficulty. (Source: cnn.com)

Upson also added that the Chrome OS may also threaten the jobs of corporate IT professionals, since software updates for the operating system will be deployed automatically via web connection.

It's worth noting that these are not direct quotes from Upson, but paraphrasing on behalf of the New York Times.

Google Apps Makes Chrome OS More Attractive

Considering the widespread use of Google Apps -- a cloud-based, free competitor to Microsoft Office -- the 60 per cent number could be achievable. Chrome OS is also being marketed at companies whose computers are used primarily for data processing and web browsing.

But critics don't really buy Google's stats. ZDNEt's Jason Hiner recently called the 60 per cent number "laughable," since Chrome OS is being aimed at netbooks, which are not commonly-used systems for most companies. (Source: zdnet.com)

Whether or not Upson is exaggerating is less important. For now, the key finding here is that it would appear Chrome OS is indeed nearing its completion.

[Hot Trout]

Excellent post

Maybe we should have another blog for modern ICT news.

[crustyasp46]

I was going to suggest opening another forum thread to put tech news in, but a blog may be the solution as well. It does seem I am loading the General discussion with a lot of tech news, as well AS Modern computing.

[Guest]

I signed up for beta testing the Chrome OS but if they are shipping out already, I must not have been selected. Sad...

[crustyasp46]

I signed up too, but so far am still out in the cold...........