Google's Chrome OS revealed

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

I fail to see the point of Chrome OS. Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer storing my data locally and using native apps over storing data in the cloud and using web apps.

In fact I can't think of anybody who'd use it. Not even for a secondary device like a netbook.

[maash]

I still see people making Linux references and distro comparisons. I have seen nothing to date that suggests this will run any off-the-shelf Linux applications. It is a web browser that is designed to use web apps. The application panels are actually browser extensions and not true applications in the standard sense.

I suppose the last thing they'll have to work on will be the printing system.

precisely. This is a linux distro which loads up only as a web browser. What is stored locally is cache just like ANY other web browser. If they built it solely like this they will fail badly. You could see by the questions that this is going to be hammered by the media big time

[Calum Veteran]

Threads merged

[coresx]

So will this Google OS only be compatible with Googles own services? I don't really get the application model. What if I want to talk to people on MSN or AIM or something else than Google Calendar to manage my appointments?

Unix ≠ Linux ≠ Mac OS X

I've don't get the Google messenger thing, it's useless when all my contacts are hotmail or yahoo.

As for Chrome OS I just don't like the idea of cloud only. It might be bare bones and incredible fast but other than that don't see the appeal. Google will also have everything you do backed up. I do go back and forth with a tin foil hat but makes me a little uncomfortable from time to time. Can you imagine Microsoft owning and backing up everything you have done on your PC. It's not the if you've done nothing wrong, nothing to fear thing.

Edited November 19, 2009 by WooHoo!!!

[Fred Derf Veteran]

precisely. This is a linux distro which loads up only as a web browser. What is stored locally is cache just like ANY other web browser. If they built it solely like this they will fail badly. You could see by the questions that this is going to be hammered by the media big time

I'm not even sure it is correct to call it a linux distro. Sure it may use a Linux kernel but everything else is non-standard. A linux distro that may not run linux applications isn't linux (and don't bother arguing technicalities and semantics here, if it doesn't look like a duck and it doesn't quack like a duck then maybe we shouldn't think of it as a duck).

All that being said, I think this is a wonderfully revolutionary idea. I'm not sure the marketplace is ready for this but this pleases me more than just another boring product.

[maash]

I'm not even sure it is correct to call it a linux distro. Sure it may use a Linux kernel but everything else is non-standard. A linux distro that may not run linux applications isn't linux (and don't bother arguing technicalities and semantics here, if it doesn't look like a duck and it doesn't quack like a duck then maybe we shouldn't think of it as a duck).

All that being said, I think this is a wonderfully revolutionary idea. I'm not sure the marketplace is ready for this but this pleases me more than just another boring product.

yeah i donut think until we have web access every where in the US and in places you never think of that this will really truly succeed. Let alone if I fly to a country with even less web access. Why would I want Chrome OS if I can OSX or Windows 7 with Chrome as a browser to run web apps

[Shadrack]

Unix ≠ Linux ≠ Mac OS X

See POSIX.

I'll probably give this a try on my Netbook :).

I'm lazy..when will it be available to the public?

[justmike]

I would think that this OS would completely depend on future netbook?s (less expensive) hardware. If future browsers will take advantage of multi GPU?s, then how could a netbook compare with a notebook at that point? I guess we shall see. Or this is why MS started IE9 when they did, lol.

[bob_c_b]

While I think it is interesting, all this will really do is kill Ubuntu on netbooks.

[Fred Derf Veteran]

yeah i donut think until we have web access every where in the US and in places you never think of that this will really truly succeed. Let alone if I fly to a country with even less web access. Why would I want Chrome OS if I can OSX or Windows 7 with Chrome as a browser to run web apps

Well, if I bought one of these things to use around Toronto with an unlimited 3G internet plan (wow, $90/month from FIDO with a 5GB cap, not cheap) then I certainly wouldn't be bring it to the cottage. This device will not be for everyone.

[what]

While I think it is interesting, all this will really do is kill Ubuntu on netbooks.

Not really. I think most people would be happier having their data stored on their hard drive, ready for when they aren't connected to the internet.

[thealexweb]

While I think it is interesting, all this will really do is kill Ubuntu on netbooks.

XP has already seen to that, with the exception of some Dell Inspirons you can't get Linux on netbooks any more.

[Solid Knight]

See POSIX.

Having POSIX support (even Windows has that) doesn't make operating systems equivalent. Linux and Unix are not the same thing.

[Fred Derf Veteran]

I would think that this OS would completely depend on future netbook?s (less expensive) hardware. If future browsers will take advantage of multi GPU?s, then how could a netbook compare with a notebook at that point? I guess we shall see. Or this is why MS started IE9 when they did, lol.

I assume that we'll see future ChomeOS netbooks that ship with a bit of flash memory but no hard drive. That should make them almost disposable.

XP has already seen to that, with the exception of some Dell Inspirons you can't get Linux on netbooks any more.

You are just asking markjensen to post that article showing Linux on netbooks growing (rather than shrinking) around the world. Sure, in the US Microsoft can claim 96% of the netbook market but the world is a big and happy place.

[boogerjones]

Chrome OS might be nice for a niche userbase, which means I'll never touch it. It will be far too limited for what I consider normal computer use. And I'll end up hating it for the same reason I hate linux: too difficult or impossible to run the applications I like on it.

[Rob2687]

Isn't the browser still GTK based? If that's so then it should have the core dependencies and libs to run Gnome apps shouldn't it?

[Snowl]

except Chrome OS is not an OS. its a Browser System not an Operating System

Chrome BS?

Doesn't have sort of the same ring to it...

[darth_mark]

Chrome OS might be nice for a niche userbase, which means I'll never touch it. It will be far too limited for what I consider normal computer use. And I'll end up hating it for the same reason I hate linux: too difficult or impossible to run the applications I like on it.

I understand not using it because it doesn't suit your needs. But why the hate?

[Ayepecks]

This is a big "MEH" from me. I can't see myself -- or anyone I know -- ever using it. For anything. I don't see where the niche is, personally. It seems like a lack of a userbase to me. I can't even see beginning PC users using this.

[Petvas]

I watched the videos about Chrome OS and I can say that I am not impressed. I don't see where anyone could find a use for it. Google likes us to believe that all computing takes place online. This is certainly not the case and it will never be! Online computing will definitely become even more important, but there are many things that we will be still doing offline. Google doesn't like that...

There is also sth else. Most people that have a netbook, also have a computer at home...Most of them want to have the same OS on both computers..the same programs...Google has a very very long way to go. I see Microsoft in advantage here. They can build on Windows and make it even better for the online world that is coming. Microsoft's approach to cloud computing is much more reasonable and they will remain the market leaders...

[Lechio]

Pretty amazing, and no blue screen when the USB device was connected. :D

[rakeshishere]

Chrome OS wants me to assume that I do everything in a freaking web browser. Some of the features such as the synchronization of user settings in cloud,faster bootup and malware detection mechanism sounds great but this is somewhat similar to vision of Bill Gates where i remember him saying- Windows would be user centric in the future which is what Chrome OS wants to achieve.

Also, this is definitely not a windows killer atleast for next 10 years :-\

[Crompee]

Chrome OS wants me to assume that I do everything in a freaking web browser. Some of the features such as the synchronization of user settings in cloud,faster bootup and malware detection mechanism sounds great but this is somewhat similar to vision of Bill Gates where i remember him saying- Windows would be user centric in the future which is what Chrome OS wants to achieve.

Also, this is definitely not a windows killer atleast for next 10 years :-\

Its not meant to be a windows killer... Its not even going to be officially available for desktop PCs. Its only going to be available for netbooks (which are predesigned for Chrome OS.. with no HDD).

This is just a foot in the door for google, so as cloud computing slowly becomes the norm.. google are there already.

It will also do alot better on netbooks than any other linux distro has done, as google will offer a % of ad revenue created from each Chrome netbook to the OEM.

[maash]

So wait...so if the hardware is $199, this is basically a $199 web browser. What if I want to skype. ZING cant do it. What if i want to do some work while on the bus. ZING cant do that. What do I do if I want to work while on a train or plane..ZING cant do that. Ok how about if I want to take a video a friend sent me and edit it..ZING cant do that. What if I want tweetdeck or a client on my machine instead of the useless web twitter clients. ZING cant do that... What if I want to a proper MS power presentation with tools not available online. ZING cant do that.... What if I want to use iTunes with my iPhone...ZING cant do that.. What if I want to store my music or my pictures....Locally...ZING cant do that...What if I delete all my Cache and I dont have online access....ZING i am so screwed.

This is Failure....

Who owns the Data? Google... Who owns your documents? Google? When can you USE this OS? when Google Servers are up..

[MazdawgRollin]

I downloaded the vmdk from another thread (that is now closed) and it works quite well. it's a neat concept.

This was posted from within the chromiumos vm.