Google has just announced that it is developing a brand new operating system, called Google Chrome OS. This is a separate project from Google Android, though they admit there will be some areas of overlap.
What is Google Chrome OS?
Google are aiming the Chrome OS at people, who “spend most of their time on the web.” They are promising that Google Chrome OS will be minimal, lightweight, secure and fast – so users can “start up and get onto the web in seconds.”
The code will be open sourced later this year and Google say that netbooks running the Chrome OS will be available to consumers next year!
Google Chrome OS and Android
It’s clear that Google realises the huge market for something more substantial than Android; but which can also run on netbooks and older hardware.
I think this is a smart move. Google’s developers and the open source community now have two different operating systems, aimed at two different kinds of device. Trying to turn Android into all things to all people, would have inevitably led to compromises. People were already beginning to ask, if Android was a desktop OS on a phone or a phone OS on a desktop.
One things for sure. The OS marketplace is about to get a lot more interesting! You can read the full Google Chrome OS announcement here.
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I hear that Microsoft are due to make a big announcement too. Maybe that’s why Google have announced this now?
Charlie,
You hear right. Microsoft WILL be making a big announcement over the next few days. Sadly, everyone’s embargoed right now so can’t spill the beans.