Why does everything that Google does generate so much buzz? A month ago, it was Google wave and now it is the new Chrome OS. Maybe it’s because the ideas are ridiculously simple and yet so revolutionary. Wave promises to redefine the way we communicate and Chrome OS is already bragging of changing the OS game. Now don’t get me wrong, I accept that I am a Google worshiper. But I am fair too.
I like Google because they have been making my web experience so much simpler. Take Chrome for example. It’s blazing fast, it’s so sleek and so simple. It lets me do what I want to do. Browse in peace.
It’s not as if the other browsers are bad. But mark my words, as soon as the Chrome extensions are available users will lap onto Chrome. Specially the millions of Indians with low bandwidth problems (that includes me too). And I will be the first in line.
OK, so enough ranting for now, moving onto the real thing.
What the hell is Chrome OS?
An Operating System based on a browser. You’ve got to be kidding me, right? Doesn’t it take years to build a stable OS?
Right on. Ask Apple, Microsoft and Linux how difficult this is. Heck, started in 1991, Linux is still struggling to get us that completely stable magic.
But what the Chrome OS wants to do is to solve problems associated with Windows, the main being that it’s a bloated operating system that isn’t built for a computing world based on the web.
The solution?
Google Chrome will run within a windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. This basically implies that web applications will work immediately on this system. Sounds cool right?
To be honest, even Chrome did that when it was first announced 10 months ago. But it still has to penetrate the mainstream and the general popularity. Even now, 66% of users click on the blue IE icon on their desktops when they want to use the internet. Everyone knows that Internet Explorer is not the sharpest knife in our kitchen shelf, for the reason how slow it is and how badly it lags in the race for better functionality. (read add-ons)
So what seems to be the problem here? I think it’s called ‘habit’
We are a species bound by our habits. We don’t want to change our Operating System even though the new one might be better. Who will take the pain of climbing the new learning curve when we know Windows is like the palm of our hand? Who will install add-ons just to change my theme or add a new toolbar?
So this time Google is clearly attacking Microsoft to try loosening the windows controlled market. Just like Microsoft is trying to break into the Google fortress of search engine supremacy via Bing.
Sidin Vadukut over at livemint blogs has an interesting proposition for the Indian markets. I hope you are listening, oh almighty Google!
The Chrome OS is designed to work with low-spec machines on which users will get to do the basic stuff. Great! That’s what India needs. But why will people take the Chrome OS? Because you will bundle it with a low-spec (cheaper) notebook and a 3G mobile internet card / USB data connection all working on prepaid utilization. And you might as well throw in low EMI rates to clinch the deal.
This all-in-one package of complete connectivity will let Google enter the base of the pyramid in the Indian market; and frankly that’s where the hidden fortune lies.
Hint: Read ‘The fortune at the bottom of the pyramid’ by C K Prahalad
This device would work everywhere; in remote rural areas and urban areas alike. The 3G Saga in India is finally settled and we will soon have the auctions and spectrums assigned. This would mean lower 3G costs and faster connectivity speeds. The future does look bright!
I wouldn’t mind buying this deal, considering the fact that I travel so much and need faster speeds. But yeah, if you want it for games, web designing or video editing; you better stay away.
So, what do you think? Anyone who thinks all this is never gonna work or maybe you have a better idea?
“Right on. Ask Apple, Microsoft and Linux how difficult this is. Heck, started in 1991, Linux is still struggling to get us that completely stable magic”
You say windows is stable and linux is still trying to get “us that completely stable magic” ?? LOL – could you please define stable?
I love the way you have written this article apart from the content. Let it be.
Though Chrome OS may not be suitable for Web desiging, Graphics and games, it **need not** to be so. Why should we need a kitchen sink OS as it is now? We don’t use common OS for our mobile, set-top box, computer. Mobile and Set-top box OS is hidden, so we don’t feel it. The only OS visible for end user is for Computer. That is going to be divided further down the line.
In future we may have netbook/smartbook kind of accessories for communication purpose and heavy OS for other productive purpose like heavy designing and editing. Chrome OS can fill the first requirement. If Google develops it carefully it may have another heavy weight version to compete with MS-Windows.
I think Chrome OS need not be looked at as a direct competitor to other OS’s around. Google has always looked at opportunity to increase its touchpoint (and online behavioral data mining) with the internet users at a more frequent levels, obviously the more a person spends time on net the more he interacts with Google ads.
And now it’s exploring ways to increase that Ad interaction frequency and data mining with Chrome OS. And ofcourse Google Chrome OS can create a buzz but not a dent in Windows OS. Windows OS’s have a huge base of loyal third party developers (and not to mention monoplistic practices and ingrained user habits) which is not just difficult to beat but impossible too.
Isnt it surprising that inspite of having some real good browsers like Firefox, Safari, Opera around for quite sometime. IE still rules by a huge margin.
Well, I think we’re still comparing apples (be it the fruit or the Mac) to oranges. I don’t see Chrome OS really challenging MS for at least 15 years, if ever. The netbook might offer a more level playing field. But lets face it, gamers, designers, anyone who requires a bit of power when using the machine won’t find a use for Chrome OS, ‘cept as a side browser while not facing their main machine.
I don’t think it’s Google’s intention to target the desktop at this time – or possibly ever. Perhaps they hope to change the way we compute. But once again, that’s going to be a long way from now.