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Google to shed light on actual Chrome OS - not the browser - on Friday 10/16
No, that "early build" MG Siegler was raving about isn't an OS. It's just the browser. Over at ComputerWorld, Google's Eitan Bencuya offered some much-needed clarification: "This is just the *browser* component of Chrome OS, not the operating system itself. We are currently working on building Chrome the browser for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS, and the source code of the browser for all four platforms is all public."
So there you have it. While that won't spell the end of the misleading titles, it's nice to have an official comment from someone who actually knows what they're talking about.
Now the plot thickens. Google is hosting an event in Mountain View tomorrow, where the topics will include - what else - Chrome OS. The Front End Engineering Open House will take place at 6PM PT, and will feature presentations and an hour of mingling with Google staffers (presumably including those working on Chrome OS).
Maybe tomorrow we'll finally have some actual insights into the OS itself, and not just the browser. If we do, you'll read about them here. And I love Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols' guess as to when we might see a public download for Chrome OS. He's pegging October 22nd - the same day Microsoft launches Windows 7.
Google wouldn't try to steal Microsoft's thunder like that, would they.....?
Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsMarkyB86Oct 15th 2009 7:12PM
"Google wouldn't try to steal Microsoft's thunder like that, would they.....?"
Shitchyea!
sharkbaitOct 15th 2009 8:23PM
"...isn't an OS. It's just the browser."
*Sigh* No, this isn't actually the whole operating system, but with Chrome OS, the browser essentially IS the OS. This is where most of the functionality will be. The user won't care about the underlying kernel or shell or installer or anything. I.e. everything the user sees is the browser. Also, revision 29061 shows that Chrome OS is fullscreen by default, meaning that nothing other than the browser will be showing.
http://src.chromium.org/viewvc/chrome?view=rev&revision=29061
This debate is similar to the Linux-is-the-kernel-not-the-OS one. This just confuses the average user, who, frankly, doesn't care.
Lee MathewsOct 15th 2009 8:34PM
But the average user does care about things like burning cds, listening to MP3s, and watching downloaded videos.
Isn't there a chance that the application dock referenced will include some applications people WILL care about -- other than the browser?
sharkbaitOct 15th 2009 9:05PM
Ah, I see your point. Chrome already has a very rudimentary file browser, (just go to file:///anything) and I think this would be extended into a modern/standard HTML one. Though, of course, that's currently speculation, (I don't have an svn revision to reference :) but it seems like a good idea to me. The fullscreen-by-default thing really convinces me, though.
As for the application dock, is that the thing in the top left? It being a HTML page (I think the Google login page will change to a chrome://..., similar to chrome://newtab/, page) makes me think that it wouldn't have anything to do with external applications (if any).
Many (most?) netbooks don't have CD burners. Though if Google does decide to add that feature, I imagine it would have an HTML frontend with an existing backend (e.g. Brasero).
Judging from the language in the original, official announcement, I really think Chrome OS will just be the browser. Google's investing a ton of time in developing new web technologies, (e.g., HTML5, Google Docs) and I think they're aiming for the web to be the platform, instead of the OS.
psycrosOct 16th 2009 4:34AM
Google is a step ahead of everyone except possibly Apple. They both realize what users want - one OS to rule them all. What I run on my desktop I should be able to run on my netbook or phone, assuming it has the horsepower to do so. There's no excuse or logical reason to do otherwise. Microsoft thought that having the same look and feel was good enough and did little to unify its PC and mobile flavors of Windows. Had they been a little smarter they would probably own our phones as well as our desktops, and it would Apple playing catch-up. Bottom line: its NOT the browser, its the apps. The browser is just a delivery mechanism that makes the underlying platform largely irrelevant.
MarkyB86Oct 16th 2009 6:40PM
So did this meeting go down yet? I want details!
MysteriusOct 16th 2009 7:46PM
Pacific Time, so still an hour and 15 minutes as of this comment.
MarkyB86Oct 16th 2009 7:50PM
Whoops LOL Thanks!
NickOct 19th 2009 10:20AM
Is there an update on this? I can't find news anywhere about this meeting?