Google has finally released Chromium OS as a open source project. The news about Google’s Chrome OS has been received by people with anticipation which is expected but views on the OS are different in many ways. Some experts think Chrome OS will drive Google to go the Microsoft way. Others think it will not last and the idea of an Chrome OS is not suitable when Linux is still around.
About Google Chromium OS
- Chromium OS will work on the principle that many people who use a computer may not want a OS which takes 45 seconds to load up. Chrome OS will load up in approx 3-4 seconds.
- One thing that stands out with Chrome OS, is it’s laser like focus on the internet. Google being an internet giant has not lost it’s focus with its OS. It keeps the focus as the internet and has built the Operation System around what a internet user will need.
- Chrome OS will not store a lot of data on the computer. This will give it a great advantage when it comes to security. All files and data will be stored online. Even if the computer is hit with a virus when Chrome OS updates the virus will be removed automatically.
- This will also mean that when if Chrome OS crashes, there will be no data loss as all data will be stored online. So if my Chrome OS crashes all I will need is to re-install it and I should be good to go with all my data intact as it would anyways be stored online.
Chrome OS vs Windows 7
Many blogs might be taking the name of Chrome OS as competition to Windows 7, but I doubt that is the case. Google has kept its focus on internet functionality unlike Microsoft which is multi focused. I doubt Google is even looking to rival Microsoft’s Windows with Chrome OS. The impact Chrome OS will have on the Operating System market is still to be seen. Being still a year away from when it might get out of beta where Chrome OS will position itself is difficult to predict.
But if Google gets Chrome OS right, there is a good chance that people who are just using the internet and their browser with their computers might just dump Windows and move over to Chrome. I do not see Mac users dumping their Macs for Chrome OS as most people who buy a Mac would need their computers for a lot more than just using the internet.
Below is a video which explain the concept behind Google’s Chromium OS
7 Comments
I still have 3 main concerns over this all hype of Chrome OS:
1) So apart from my browsing habits, google wants access to my personal files like documents, pics, letters etc as well.
2)How does storing files over the internet make it more secure? Don’t we have all sorts of viruses and malware floating around on the net?
3)Does this mean that a chrome OS laptop is useless for me if I don’t have an internet connection?
So if you ask me, I’ll still stick to my lovely Mac, and if I ever go on a PC, its gonna be Fedora or Ubuntu, not necessarily in that order 😉
but if its internet focused as shown in video…what abt installations of app like gaming and other softwares.
@Abhishek: It becomes more secure as the files are saved on the internet. So even if your desktop was infected, a update would essentially act like formating the disk. That’s why it would be safer. As the moment Chrome OS will not be used by most of us unless as a dual boot.
@Pratik: I think there are certain softwares which will be supported like printer drivers. But it is mainly internet focused so if you are looking to play games online, Chrome OS is not for you. Chrome OS is meant for people who only use their computers for things to do online, like email, download, watching videos, chatting etc.
we need fast internet access if are file are from internet
what about the download limits dude…
and in my opinion
Bing’s competition to google == Chrome OS competition to Windows
I don’t think so Chromium OS can be compared to Windows7 in any aspect, because Chromium OS is more of a netbook OS and windows7 is a PC, having Chromium OS on a PC is a bit weird to me.
@tasaguq: That was exactly my point when I wrote that even though experts might be pitting Chromium against WIndows I think its not the case.