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Google ChromeOS: It's basically a modified browser that runs web apps
So what exactly is Chrome OS? It's an operating system based on a web browser called... Google Chrome. The idea is that you won't have to (or be able to) install a single application directly on your PC. Rather, all of your apps will be run from the web and all of your data will be stored in the cloud.
That doesn't mean the computer won't be able to play games or interact with USB peripherals. For instance, Google demonstrated that you can plug in a camera and watch videos using a web-based video player or copy files to cloud-based storage. And because Google has been working to give web apps access to your PC's hardware, even video games with 3D graphics should be possible as long as you have a video card that's supported by ChromeOS.
The version of ChromeOS that Google demonstrated today is still a work in progress, and we were told that the user interface could change significantly before the final product is released. But the OS already boots in just 7 seconds, and Google says it takes another 3 seconds to launch applications.
The screenshot above shows an app menu that you can use to launch some web apps. You can create permanent shortcuts to these programs by "pinning" them to the ChromeOS toolbar. See those tiny tabs at the top? Those are pinned tabs.
There will also be persistent "panels" that pop up and stay on top even when you flip between browser tabs. For instance you can bring up a Google Talk panel, a music player, or a notepad.
ChromeOS will be automatically updated each day by connecting to the web and making sure that you have all the latest updates.
What do you think? Are you ready for an OS that's effectively useless without an internet connection? While the operating system stores some data on a local storage partition, Google says it's basically just a user cache area and that data will all be synced with the web. That means if you lose your netbook or buy a new one, you should be able to pick up where you left off without missing a beat.
Stay tuned for details. The news conference is still underway. In the meantime, you can check out a few more photos after the break.
Update: You will be able to perform some tasks while offline. For instance, you can cache movies, music, or eBooks and access them while you're on a plane. But the OS is primarily designed for interacting with web services.
Update 2: If you have absolutely no intention of picking up a machine with Google Chrome OS, there's good news: All of the new features that show up in Chrome OS will be able to work with the Google Chrome browser for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Comments
18
Subscribe to commentsEvenioNov 19th 2009 1:41PM
As long as it's not my primary machine/OS, yeah, it could be pretty neat.
ghobs91Nov 19th 2009 2:13PM
really stupid idea, im not trusting all of my files with the cloud. they need to make an open source operating system that doesnt need an internet connection to be useful
Jash SayaniNov 19th 2009 5:01PM
That is LINUX !
haydenstreaterNov 19th 2009 11:42PM
Imagine a world that was dictated by what bill gates thought was innovative.. Its companies like google that test the waters and see where technology could and possibly will go. This is a huge leap in OS's and in tech creativity.
motangNov 19th 2009 2:13PM
It's not too bad, I liked what I saw in the presentation. I could be a cool OS for netbooks.
Kris120890Nov 19th 2009 2:14PM
Using dedicated and Google approved hardware only is a stupid idea. I wans't than interested in the first place but I definitely won't care from now on. I think its more incapable than regular linux.
gmNov 19th 2009 2:20PM
this is a check of my 15 months old GoOS prediction [ http://ow.ly/iEi1 ] compared with the real Chrome OS:
* The BEST and DEFINITIVE Personal Computer and Servers Operating System!
YES
* It is (and ALWAYS will be!) 100% FREE for personal and commercial use, no ONE cent to pay!
YES
* TWO TIMES FASTER than Windows XP and Mac OSX and THREE TIMES FASTER than Vista!
YES
* Nearly PERFECT Windows XP and Mac OSX software EMULATION built-in!
NO
* It runs native GoOS software and nearly 99% of ALL Windows XP, Vista and Mac OSX software!
NO
* MINIMAL hardware requirement: 600 MHz processor, 256MB Ram, 1.5GB hard disk space!
YES
* Tablet PC ready, Media PC and Mobile versions available soon!
YES
* Automatic high speed PARALLEL processing with Dual and Quad Core processors!
BEST WITH MULTICORE
* NO longer and complex installation needed, just copy the GoOS on a formatted HDD to self-install it!
YES
* Works fine with FAT32, NTFS, Linux formatted hard disks!
YES
* Protected GoOS kernel, HDD file system and GoOS system files to STOP nearly all kinds of Virus and Spyware!
YES
* Hundreds FREE software with the GoOS download including a (Microsoft Office 100% compatible!) GoOffice Suite!
SOON
* Perfectly runs Google Chrome, GMail and all Google Docs, applications and services!
YES
* NO online and offline advertising, NO virus, NO spyware, NO software or user registration, everything is FREE!
YES
and also the "Task Bar less" Chrome OS looks pretty much like the image on Sony Vaio published on my blog
RichNov 19th 2009 5:56PM
* The BEST and DEFINITIVE Personal Computer and Servers Operating System!
YES
Little early for that and it feels like a NO. I could be wrong but I am doubting that.
Mark in CANov 19th 2009 4:20PM
If you want to see a real-world example of what a ChromeOS computer would look like and how it would work, take a look at the Litl Webbook computer, released earlier this month. While not really ChromeOS, it uses a Linux kernal (Ubuntu) with a browser UI and has no hard disk (just 2GB SSD). www.litl.com
LesNov 19th 2009 4:09PM
I personally can hardly wait.
Obviously I won't trust it as my sole OS or with any important files at first, but I can see big changes in the way we see computers.
bobeotmNov 19th 2009 4:30PM
Well, since I will be able to get the features in Google Chrome at some point in the future, why would someone want a system with ONLY this os? It seems like it would be better to simply get a windows 7 machine, and use google chome on it.
I like the idea of a web centric OS. I admit I use the internet a ton on a daily basis, but I would be lying if I said I only use the web. I create things offline (with photoshop for example), that only see the web to be emailed to someone else. I know there are online alternatives to photoshop, but they AREN'T photoshop.
Another potential issue it that to use this OS as a serious alternative, you would need a pretty beefy internet connection. Most people wouldnt have a download problem, but even parts of the country with the densest broadband penetration, upload speeds are abysmal! I get nearly 7 Mbps Down, but only about .36 Mbps upload speed! And I am far from the minority of people that have connections like this.
Cloud computing is only as good as your upload speed, and for most Americans at least, it's only viable for small files like documents.
PonTelonNov 19th 2009 4:39PM
It'll be interesting. I really don't like the fact that they require a SSD, but it could be interesting as a secondary partition on a laptop or netbook.
Great concept. We'll see if it works and how well.
I don't mind being cloud based. I think people fear the cloud more than they need to. As long as companies(like google) keep good server backups, it'll be fine.
Jash SayaniNov 19th 2009 5:03PM
I'll make it the primary OS on my Acer aspire one netbook as I only use if for surfing and checking mails. All my data is on my MacBook.
Waiting for release...
RichNov 19th 2009 5:55PM
More than likely you won't.
Its won't be available for download and only be available for hardware that meets its specs. So no HD's, certain screen resolutions and sizes. So chances are if you wanna use Google OS, you'll need to get a new netbook that comes with it installed.
SugarDaddyNov 20th 2009 8:20AM
This is pretty much playing on the whole Netbook phenomenon. If all you want your computer to be is an internet machine, then why not have it boot in 7 seconds and only run web apps? Store all your sensitive data at home and leave all the other stuff in the cloud. It sounds like this could be useful to a lot of people. But I certainly don't think it's a Windows/Linux/Mac killer and I don't think they're trying to make it such. It's like Google is creating their own niche market.
hjglgvNov 21st 2009 9:50PM
Well, like evrything with Google, I really cringe at the privacy implications of this OS. Google already stores mass amounts of information about internet users, and admits to "scanning" their g-mail email accounts' content. Imagine now that this "free" OS with ALL your data stored on their servers. I'd love to hear their "privacy policy" on this one! Because NOTHING is free. And it doesn't run most regular programs? OK so they want just mindless useless web surfers that need no applications and who's every single action is recorded - sounds like a couple people here are quite interested!
wbamb83392Nov 21st 2009 9:50PM
This article should be entitled, "Communism Comes to Computing".
techpopsNov 25th 2009 1:04PM
What has become more interesting to me than the OS itself, is the way Google is handling it. SSD only and a select few Netbooks remove the whole driver problem which is a seriously smart move that has plagued Linux forever. If they can gain some traction within the Netbook space, it puts pressure on hardware makers to support it. Round 2 of the Google OS would then be in a much better position to enter the desktop market.
What's also really clever is the way they're approaching updates and security. It's the ideal model for mom and pops, the masses who think Facebook is the internet and we could see it becoming hugely popular in some later form because of this. If you think about it, the way it auto updates and self repairs is something Windows cannot ever compete with and its a very attractive idea for the masses.
When this is launched in a years time, I know it won't be any threat to Windows but what I think will have happened is the seeds will have been sown for a future competitor to Windows. To call it just another Linux is really missing the point.
Also a bit like how Vista became more acceptable a few years after its release because hardware got faster to make it feel faster. Google OS is going to continue to look better as web apps improve with HTML 5, broadband penetration increases and the idea of the local app continues to fade away. You really have to see this as a very early play for Google.
So while Mashables take on this, suggesting this is going to kill Windows dead on release and other such nonsense is utter tripe. The groundwork is being laid that could put Google into a position where it can create a real competitor to Windows in years to come.