Google Chrome OS
Company / developer
Google Inc.
OS family
Unix-like
Working state
Developer source code releasedas Chromium OS
Latest stable release
None
Package manager
apt-get[1][2]
Supported platforms
x86, ARM
Kernel type
Monolithic (Linux)
Default user interface
Graphical (Web-based)
License
Open source
Google Chrome OS is an open source operating system designed by Google to work exclusively with web applications.[3] Announced on July 7, 2009, Chrome OS is set to have a publicly available stable release during the second half of 2010.[4] The operating system is based on Linux and targets specifically designed hardware.[5] The user interface takes a minimalist approach, resembling that of the Chrome web browser. Because the browser will be the only application residing on the device, Google Chrome OS is aimed at users who spend most of their computer time on the Internet.[6][7][8]
At a November 19, 2009 news conference, Sundar Pichai, the Google vice president overseeing Chrome, demonstrated an early version of the operating system, which included a desktop that closely resembled the Chrome browser, but with tabs for frequently used Web-based applications. The netbook running the operating system booted up in seven seconds, a time Google is working to improve.[9] On the same day, Google released Chrome OS's source code under open source licensing as Chromium OS.[10]
Contents[hide]
1 User interface
2 Architecture
3 Hardware
4 Market implications
4.1 Relationship to Android
5 See also
6 References
7 External links
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[User interface
Design goals for Google Chrome OS's user interface include using minimal screen space by combining applications and standard Web pages into a single tab strip, rather than separating the two. Designers are considering a reduced window management scheme that would operate only in full-screen mode. Secondary tasks would be handled with "panels": floating windows that dock to the bottom of the screen for tasks like chat and music players. Split screens are also under consideration for viewing two pieces of content side-by-side. Google Chrome OS will follow the Chrome browser's practice of leveraging HTML 5's offline modes, background processing, and notifications. Designers propose using search and pinned tabs as a way to quickly locate and access applications.[11]
Architecture
Google announced that Google Chrome OS will feature a novel security architecture. According to Google's announcement, the company will be "going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates". [12]
Hardware
Google Chrome OS is intended for secondary devices like netbooks, not a user's primary PC,[9] and will only run on specifically designed hardware incorporating an x86 or ARM processor.[6] The OS is designed to run on solid state drives, which provide faster boot-up times, rather than on hard disk drives, which have larger storage capacity but comparatively lower performance. Lower capacity solid state drives can better accommodate Google Chrome OS because the operating system on a disk is 60 times smaller than Windows 7.[13]
Companies developing hardware for the operating system include Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Adobe, Asus, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Freescale[14] and Intel.[15]
[edit] Market implications
When Google announced the Chrome browser in September 2008 it was viewed[16] as a continuation of the battle between Google and Microsoft ("the two giants of the digital revolution").[17] As of 2009[update], Microsoft dominates the usage share of desktop operating systems.[17] and the software market in word processing and spreadsheet applications. The operating system dominance may be challenged directly by Google Chrome OS, and the application dominance indirectly through a shift to cloud computing.[17] According to an analysis by PC World,[18] Google Chrome OS represents the next step in this battle.
[edit] Relationship to Android
The successive introduction of Android and Google Chrome OS, both open source, client-based operating systems, has created some market confusion, especially with the former's growing success. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer accused his competitor of not being able to make up its mind. [19]. Google has downplayed this conflict, suggesting that the two operating systems address different markets, personal and mobile computing, which remain distinct despite the growing convergence of the devices. Co-founder Sergey Brin suggested that the two systems "will likely converge over time".[20]
[edit] See also
free software portal
Linux portal
Google Chrome
Azure
Gazelle
Jolicloud
Ubuntu One
Cloud
XPUD
References
^ "Adding a New Package (The Chromium Projects)". Chromium.org. http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/how-tos-and-troubleshooting/add-a-new-package. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
^ "Package Management (The Chromium Projects)". Sites.google.com. http://sites.google.com/a/chromium.org/dev/chromium-os/how-tos-and-troubleshooting/add-a-new-package/package-management. Retrieved 2009-11-23.
^ Mediati, Nick (2009-07-07). "Google Announces Chrome OS". PC World. http://www.pcworld.com/article/168028/google_announces_chrome_os.html. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
^ Ahmed, Murad (2009-07-08), Google takes on Microsoft with Chrome operating system, Times Online, http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6665703.ece, retrieved 2009-07-08
^ Dylan F. Tweney (2009-11-19). "Gadget Lab Hardware News and Reviews Google Chrome OS: Ditch Your Hard Drives, the Future Is the Web". Wired. http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/google-chrome-os-ditch-your-hard-drives-the-future-is-the-web/. Retrieved 2009-11-22.
^ a b Womack, Brian (2009-07-08). "Google to Challenge Microsoft With Operating System". Bloomberg.com. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aTd2k.YdQZ.Y. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
^ Hansell, Saul (2009-07-08). "Would you miss Windows with a Google operating system?". New York Times. http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/08/would-you-miss-windows-with-a-google-operating-system/. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
^ Pichai, Sundar (2009-07-07). "Introducing the Google Chrome OS". Official Google Blog. Google, Inc.. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
^ a b Helft, Miguel (November 19, 2009). "Google Offers Peek at Operating System, a Potential Challenge to Windows". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/20/technology/companies/20chrome.html. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
^ Sengupta, Caesar (2009-11-19). "Releasing the Chromium OS open source project". Official Google Blog. Google, Inc.. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/releasing-chromium-os-open-source.html. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
^ "The Chromium Projects: User Experience". Google. http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/user-experience. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
^ Infosecurity magazine (2009-07-22). "Google promises 'the end of viruses' with Chrome operating system?". http://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/view/2646/google-promises-the-end-of-viruses-with-chrome-operating-system/.
^ {{cite weburl=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9141191/Google_Chrome_OS_will_not_support_hard_disk_drivestitle=Google Chrome OS will not support hard-disk driveslast=Mearianfirst=Lucas date=November 19, 2009 work=Computerworldaccessdate=21 November 2009}
^ Pichai, Sundar (2009-07-08). "Google Chrome OS FAQ". Official Google Blog. Google, Inc.. http://chrome.blogspot.com/2009/07/google-chrome-os-faq.html. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
^ Myslewski, Rik (2009-07-10). "Intel Cozying up to Google Chrome OS". The RegisterOSnews. http://www.osnews.com/story/21812. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
^ Rotem-Gal-Oz, Arnon. "Google Chrome -The browser is the new Desktop". http://www.rgoarchitects.com/nblog/2008/09/02/GoogleChromeTheBrowserIsTheNewDesktop.aspx. Retrieved November 20 2009.
^ a b c Keegan, Victor (10 July 2009). The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/10/google-chrome-microsoft Can Chrome steal Microsoft's shine?. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
^ Bertolucci, Jeff (July 10, 2009). "Google, Microsoft Invade Enemy Territory: Who Wins?". PC World. http://www.pcworld.com/article/168246/google_microsoft_invade_enemy_territory_who_wins.html. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
^ http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/14/steve-ballmer-calls-chrome-os-highly-interesting-says-google/
^ http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10402653-265.html
[edit] External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Google Chrome OS
Official announcement
Google Chrome Blog
Google Chrome OS Live Webcast - November 19, 2009
The Chromium Project