Google made a big splash in the announcement of an operating system based on their Chrome web browser. But just what is Google Chrome OS? Is it really a new operating system? And what about Google's Android operating system?
What is Google Chrome OS?
Google Chrome OS is being designed as a lightweight open source operating system based on Linux. This means it won't take up much memory, so it will have much smaller hardware requirements. It will also boot up faster.
Because the operating system is designed to mainly let you browse the web, it won't be dogged down with a bunch of features that are rarely used but take up precious resources. This design will also make it more simple to use, with a streamlined interface designed to get you on the web quickly.
What type of applications will be available for it?
Google Chrome OS is designed as a web-based OS, which means it's main functionality will be to connect you to the web. While it may have external applications that have web-centric functions, such as checking the mail, most applications for it will be browser-based, which means they will run in any computer with a web browser.
In addition to providing quick and easy access to the web, Google Chrome OS will up the ante for web developers by providing a state-of-the-art environment to push web applications to the max. This means some web applications may be designed from the ground up to run in Google Chrome, though they should run just as fine using the Chrome browser under the Windows operating system.
Will I sacrifice utility by only using web applications?
While Google Chrome OS will not be as versatile as a full-fledged operating system like Microsoft Windows or Mac OS X, and won't have access to the applications you can find at Best Buy, it will still be able to run a wide variety of applications as web apps.
The cloud computing movement has led to a lot of sophisticated software being made for the web browser. This includes free office software like Zoho suite along with state-of-the-art word processors like Buzzword and even sophisticate games such as those being created at InstantAction.
So, while you won't get the vast array of software that is available for the Windows operating system, you will still have access to a lot of the same functionality.
The bright side of cloud computing is that your applications and data can be accessed from a variety of devices, from your PC to your laptop to your smartphone.
Read more about Cloud Computing.
Find out how Google Chrome OS is a product of Cloud Computing.
Why release both Google Chrome OS and Google Android?
Google's Android OS is designed to be a slim operating system that runs on a variety of devices from smartphones to netboxes to even settop boxes like DVRs. The idea is to provide a quick and easy road to the web on anything from a smartphone to your TiVo.
The Google Chrome OS is pointed directly at netbooks, laptops and desktop PCs. Because it is a lightweight operating system without stiff requirements, it can be run on less expensive equipment, thus helping to drive down the price of computers.
