Maybe if they bought out Ubuntu, yes, they could do it – produce a desktop edition of Android.
Google OS is an excellent prediction. I wonder if they’ll start with add-on tools to the browser and branch out from there to a whole OS.
Of course you’d keep all your data in the GooglePlex with ads in your spreadsheets.
iPhone App Store: cool idea
Google Android Market: good but a rip off
Microsoft Skymarket: wow, that’s innovation
The ridiculous part is that MS announces Skymarket while they are still hiring developers for it.
I think Google Chrome is the first step to a Google runtime environment. Expect Google to create additions to the Gears API which will run under Chrome.
I don’t think there will be a Google Linux.
Microsoft should have done it’s own Linux variation years ago, with Windows APIs added on. Embrace and Extend – that’s the Microsoft way. Imagine if Microsoft had embraced Linux like IBM has. It would be a completely different world.
Who gives a damn about Lousy Linux when Windows still rules. Linux = Losers Windows = Winners!
Did anyone else read the comic strip explanation of Chrome? It struck me as odd that they would use a comic strip to explain such technical stuff.
Hmmm.
Will Microsoft be affected?
In reality, probably not much.
In Bill Gates paranoid delusions?
Greatly.
Remember, Bill Gates has always considered Microsoft to be an applications company. Selling MS-Dos fell in their lap, and windows was a direct result of Jobs not allowing the MacOS to be installed on clones, thereby eliminating most of Microsofts’ already existing market.
Remember also, Microsoft created Internet Explorer because they were afraid of loosing the desktop OS market to on-line applications. Recall how Gates lost it when he realized that browsers running apps off the internet could replace their Word-Windows cash cow?
Google Chrome combined with Google Apps is this nightmare come true.
Oh, and BTW, here is the real scoop on Bill Gates.
Everyone should read this!
I’m posting this using Chrome. It’s fast as hell. But honestly, after using every browser on the market since 1992 I don’t think this browser will catch on unless/until it gets some major tweaks. I hate not being able to see my bookmarks in the sidebar. I hate that when you close the last tab the whole damned browser shuts down. I hate that it doesn’t handle some CSS/JavaScript menus properly. I hate not having more control over cookies. I hate the fact that while it’s called Chrome there is no chrome; talk about a misnomer. And this is only after using the thing for 30 minutes or so. I don’t think any of the browsers out there have anything to worry about. Not even Amaya.
# 9 GaryK said,
“I hate not being able to see my bookmarks in the sidebar.”
You lost me there.
PS
If yer gonna fuck over the stock market, yer gonna need alotta chrome.
Yee, Gods. Did anyone else see this story on IE 8? Do I really need an 8 core processor to surf the web?
#7
When Google is done with Chrome, it will be an Microsoft Office competitor, an iTunes competitor and more.
4 years ago, gmail didn’t exist.
Did you read about the separate processes for each tab? Coincidence? No.
Google Chrome is a stealth pilot project to supplant desktop applications via a browser and they will be able to use it as a platform to invade the desktop without needing to own the operating system.
I am very impressed how fast Chrome is, it’s support for threading and small footprint.
With sub $300 notebooks, nettops and inexpensive mobile internet devices (MIDs), Chrome is a great low resource, fast browser.
Let’s face it, today a very large number of people are or will soon be able to operate TOTALLY within a browser. A linux fast boot kernal (even with a BIOS ROM) and browser is ALL you need. MS is screwed!!
Hi, you’ve got great stories but sometimes I can’t see the main article – and I’m sure I’m not alone. I just get the comments? I’ve tried refreshing and that sometimes helps but not today!
#14–that happened to me. It was a crappy router.
Google Chrome is useless. Sure it’s got some neat features, but the fact that Google owns it, it will *never* have the ability to block ads. I tried it out and will not use it. I’ve gotten too used to seeing pages without annoying ads. Sorry Google, add ad blocking and flash blocking and I’ll try again.
#13 cloud lovers please buzz off
#16 yes, it will. It’ll block every ad not coming from google.
>> Michael said,
>> Google Chrome is useless. Sure it’s got some neat features, but the fact that Google owns it, it will *never* have the ability to block ads.
Uhh, I think you’re missing the whole point of Chrome.
Seriously, If I were Google, I’d have had a custom corporate free OS released already. Preferably pre-installed in a cheap appliance.
The main job of the OS would be to get the user on-line via broadband.
It would have automatic live updates but all apps would be provided by Google on-line.
I know this idea isn’t new and I didn’t make it up. But I have to wonder why it hasn’t been done yet.
“all apps would be provided by Google on-line.”
No thanks, I’d rather choose what software I use.
#6
“Did anyone else read the comic strip explanation of Chrome? It struck me as odd that they would use a comic strip to explain such technical stuff.”
They were trying to target McCain supporters and the young Republicans.
#17. Stick to things you know. This ain’t one of them. Your definition of cloud computing appears to be so circa 1997.
Are you a Sun Microsystems refugee?
I think we should study this a little further.
This might by an answer from google to those pesky MS attempts to buy Yahoo. MS wanted to control the browser & the ads. Now, google is positioned to get the thing MS wanted the most: ad revenue from controling the ad service & the receiving client. Only, if the browser gets traction (and there a billion gullible guys out there, see oytunes).
Let’s see if MS reacts at all.
#8 – Ah_Yea – That was hilarious. I’m ROTFLMAO!
P.S. Shouldn’t your name be Ah_Yeah??? Just sayin’.
>> Michael said,
>> “all apps would be provided by Google on-line.”
>> no thanks, I’d rather choose what software I use.
That’s fine for YOU, but I think the average 4-app user will gladly take the free ones.
Most people I know have given up their stand-alone email application for the on-line version.
Heck, most don’t seem to understand they even changed.
If Google makes an Internet appliance that comes “pre loaded” with an office suite, most users won’t understand that it is on-line.
They’ll be darn happy they don’t have to load or upgrade software. Also, they will be glad their documents weren’t lost when their internet box blows up.
I am NOT saying that a Google Internet Box will replace every desktop with locally-loaded software.
I, myself, won’t convert over easily. But, most of my extended family certainly will.
#24, Greg,
I think you are underestimating the intelligence of most computer users. When people discover, and the words gets out, that no, you can’t control all the files on your computer and those pictures of the naked kid in the bath are getting the law involved, look for people to ignore a box like this.
Sure, there just may be some people that want a shiny new computer for under cheap, but very few.
But then, maybe I am overestimating the general intelligence levels out there.
hhopper. Glad you liked it!
“and those pictures of the naked kid in the bath are getting the law involved”
Just don’t have pictures of the naked kid in your computer. Or even better, don’t *take* damn pictures of the kid naked. The kid will thank you later. I know I did.
People buy computers to run programs not to test drive OSs
By far the most popular program in the world for computer use now is browsers – whether they be internet explorer , Firefox / Mozilla , Opera , Safari , Opera and now Google “Chrome”
Most computer users do not even know the word “browser” and use their computer for little more than email , browsing and playing solitaire late into the night
Who wonders what the challenge of solitaire on a computer is ?
When these average users lose their browser address bars and instead are placing their web addresses into a google, yahoo or msn toolbar searchbox – they do not even know that the browser address bar is missing
Put up a browser that had built in email client program ( if needed or wanted), has solitaire built in and is stable – and it will matter little to 99.6 % of computer users – less the geeks in the world
The only troubling matter in the equation is what will google do with all the data it is collecting and will it become the new Microsoft monolith
Its good to have choices in life and in the computer field
I’ve been listening to all the talk about Google Chrome, the cool little demonstration videos and the EULA back tracking and find it all very interesting.
I have to say I haven’t used Chrome yet but that’s okay because this isn’t a product review.
I’m most interested because everyone is calling Chrome a Browser and I’m not sure it is.
John C Dvorak, has said he thinks this will lead to a Google operating system but I’m not sure this isn’t the operating system itself, loosely anyway.
Maybe I’m linking elements together incorrectly but for me you have to consider 3 elements and the impact they will have on the Technology Industry and beyond.
First, Google Apps, essentially a Software as a Service (SaaS) model. Why bother with Microsoft Office if you can have all your applications on the Internet and using Google’s computing power rather than you own.
This is what is being called ‘the cloud’, Apple have their MobileMe platform allowing you to store your files on the Internet so that you can access them from anywhere.
All of these services are trying to achieve the same thing, use the Internet more, use it for storage, processing, synchronisation etc.
Secondly, there is Internet access and generally it is getting quicker and more available away from your office or home; there is WiFi, WiMax, 3G etc
Third there are the devices themselves. Asus Eee PC, the really small PC using a Linux based operating system. With this you don’t get a huge amount of power but it’s very portable and hey if your going to use Google’s Servers for your processing needs why do you want a big laptop when a small one will do.
Also there is the iPhone, which I’m using to write this post, or Google Android or whatever the competition comes up with in the future. These devices are pretty much connected to the Internet or could be 24 7.
So put them all together and what you get is ultra small and ultra mobile devices which are incredibly powerful (they have the power of Google’s servers) and they are constantly connected to the internet for browsing, email, letters and reports, spreadsheets, presentations or data access.
You can choose a pocket sized smart phone or a more traditional laptop style or indeed an ultra mobile, a tablet, or if you prefer a windows PC or a media centre to give you access to your Video on Demand service.
The choice is yours, to suit your needs and your budget.
So why do you want to pay for that ultra fast PC, unless you are gaming, or why do you want the power of Microsoft Windows or Office when it’s all more conveniently on the cloud and you can access it anywhere via the same interface and applications you are used to. You can access you office files without the need to bring them home in your brief case and you can access your home files to see how much you need to pay that bill for.
There are of course some down sides to this scenario but most of these will be fixed over time.
What do you do when you don’t have access to the Internet, I travel most days by London Underground, and until they get WiFi it’s going to be dead time in this scenario.
Also there are security and EULA issues.
Finally there are alternatives, kind of, why not put all your files on a memory stick and if you need applications you can use a U3 memory stick to take your desktop with you from computer to computer.
So is Google chrome a browser or a platform giving you access to the cloud and all of your computing needs through any device running it.
As always, we live in exciting times, which is why I love tech and my job so much.
Jim Stevenson
Managing Director
Bletchley Group
http://www.bletchleygroup.com
What’s in it for Google? besides a sweet platform for Gears? – Indexing the dark web.
By owning the browser, and by default having google servers providing live hints within the address bar, Google can aquire the URLs to the those sites that are not (by design or not) currently indexed in seach engines.
The dark web consists of sites/pages not linked or only linked within their own subwebs. This gives Google an advantage in the search game – more indexed sites. Sites that the other seach players can’t currently crawl as they don’t know where they exist.
Potentially next time your spelunking around looking for prerelease info on a website before it goes public you may be providing a google crawler with a direct link to the content. Making it searchable before release.
Might be far fetched, but worth considering.
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