Microsoft, Google is expected to announce on Wednesday that it is developing an operating system for a personal computer based on its Chrome browser, according to two people briefed on Google’s plans. The details of the technology could not be learned, but Google plans to make the announcement on a company blog on Wednesday afternoon, this person said. Google did not immediately return calls and e-mail messages seeking comment. The move would sharpen the already intense competition between Google and Microsoft, whose Windows operating system controls the basic functions of the vast majority of personal computers. Google could well be hoping to capitalize on the rise of netbooks, the compact, low-cost computers that have turned the PC world on its head. Google already has already developed an operating system called Android, that is used for mobile phones. The software is also being built into lightweight PCs called netbooks by several manufacturers. Google has not encouraged netbook makers to use Android as an operating system, and the Chrome-based operating system appears to be the company’s preferred software for operating netbooks. Google has also long promoted a vision of computing in which applications delivered over the Web play an increasingly central role, replacing software programs that run on the desktop. In that world, applications run directly inside an Internet browser, rather than atop an operating system, the traditional software that controls most of the operations of a PC. Last year, the company released the Chrome browser, which it described as a tool for users to interact with increasingly powerful Web programs, like Gmail, Google Docs and online applications created by other companies. Since then, Google has been adding capabilities to Chrome, like the ability to allow it to run applications even when a user is not connected to the Internet. It is not clear how much work it would take for Google to turn Chrome into the central part of a full fledged operating system. But in a recent interview, Marc Andreessen, who developed the first commercial browser and co-founded Netscape, compared Chrome to an operating system. “Chrome is basically a modern operating system,” Mr. Andreessen said. Google has also long customized a version of the Linux operating system for use internally. The rise of netbooks has started to challenge some of Microsoft’s dominance in personal computing software. The first wave of netbooks relied on various versions of the open-source Linux operating system, and major PC makers like Hewlett-Packard and Dell have backed the Linux software. In an unusual move, Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, has worked on developing a Linux-based operating system called Moblin as well. The company has aimed the software at netbooks and smart phones in a bid to spur interest for its mobile device chip sold under the Atom brand. To combat these efforts, Microsoft began offering its older Windows XP operating system for use on netbooks at a low price. In addition, the company has vowed that is upcoming Windows 7 software, due out this fall, will run well on the tiny laptops. Netbooks have stood out as the brightest part of the PC market during the global economic downturn. Overall, PC sales have plummeted, while netbooks sales have surged.
NO, because to run that OS properly, you need to be forever tied to the internet, which just isn't possible here in TnT.Until we can have access to cheap-ass mobile broadband, that's actually consistent...then yeah.
Intel backing Google OSWintel alliance becomes GootelBy Nick FarrellFriday, 10 July 2009, 09:43CHIP GIANT Intel has confessed that it's been working with Google on the Chrome OS project, secretly undermining the glorious Wintel alliance that has shaped PC systems for better or worse for nearly two decades.INQ founder and former editor Mike Mageek has been chatting to his sources at Chipzilla and got someone to admit that it has known about Google's cunning Chrome OS plans all along.The Intel exec said the outfit had been "privy to the project" for some time. "We welcome Google's move here," he told Mageek.Intel and Microsoft have always been the best of pals, but for years the INQ has suspected that they both would love to bump each other off at the first opportunity.There were eyebrows of Alistair Darling proportions raised when Intel put its weight behind a lightweight operating system for netbooks called Moblin. When Google announced its Chrome OS this week some even thought that might hurt Intel too.However, if this is all part of Chipzilla's cunning plan for world domination then it means that the Wintel alliance might be on its last legs. The Vole might no longer be able rely on its chum Intel to help it crush Google's upstart Linux OS.This leaves us wondering what we should call this new alliance. Gootel sounds sticky enough, Chrotel has nice illusions to Chrotel California, where "you can check out any time you like but you can never leave." [Or Microsoft's Heartbreak Chrotel - Ed.] µClick here to find out more!
Seriously, how awesome have the past few hours been? Engadget turns the design stakes up to 11, Google finally dishes the dirt on Chrome OS, and now you can even download the forthcoming software to have a fiddle with yourself. It's completely free, though you'll need VMWare running atop a Windows, Linux or OS X installation to make the magic happen. Naturally, we've been considerate enough to provide download links for everything you'll require at the source below, so get those fingers clicking. We've already successfully installed the browser-based OS and will soon be sharing our own hands-on thoughts, but if you beat us to it, spill your insight in the comments below. We do read 'em, you know.
