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2009-07-08 10:39:37
By Maggie Shiels
Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley
Google is developing an operating system (OS) for personal computers, in a
direct challenge to market leader Microsoft and its Windows system.
Google Chrome OS will be aimed initially at small, low-cost netbooks, but will
eventually be used on PCs as well.
Google said netbooks with Chrome OS could be on sale by the middle of 2010.
"Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS," the
firm said in its official blog.
The operating system, which will run on an open source license, was a "natural
extension" of its Chrome browser, the firm said.
For Microsoft the news comes just months before it launches the latest version
of its operating system, called Windows 7.
'Back to basics'
"We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you
onto the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai,
vice president of product management, and Google's engineering director Linus
Upson.
Both men said that "the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in
an era where there was no web" and that this OS is "our attempt to re-think
what operating systems should be".
To that end, the search giant said the new OS would go back to basics.
"We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS
so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
"It should just work," said Google.
Google already has an operating system for mobile phones called Android which
can also be used to run on netbooks. Google Chrome OS will be aimed not just at
laptops but also at desktops for those who spend a lot of time on the web.
"Truly competitive"
The announcement could dramatically change the market for operating systems,
especially for Microsoft, the biggest player with around 90% share.
"This announcement is huge," said Rob Enderle, industry watcher and president
of the Enderle Group.
"This is the first time we have had a truly competitive OS on the market in
years. This is potentially disruptive and is the first real attempt by anyone
to go after Microsoft.
"Google is coming at this fresh and, because it is based on a set of services
that reside on the web, it is the first really post web operating system,
designed from the ground up, and reconceived for a web world," Mr Enderle told
the BBC.
Last year Google launched the Chrome browser, which it said was designed for
"people who live on the web - searching for information, checking email,
catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends."
Stephen Shankland at CNET said the move had widespread implications.
"One is that it shows just how serious Google is about making the web into a
foundation not just for static pages but for active applications, notably its
own such as Google Docs and G-mail.
"Another: it opens new competition with Microsoft and, potentially, a new
reason for anti-trust regulators to pay close attention to Google's moves."
Some commentators said Google's motivation in all this was pretty clear.
"One of Google's major goals is to take Microsoft out, to systematically
destroy their hold on the market," said Mr Enderle.
"Google wants to eliminate Microsoft and it's a unique battle. The strategy is
good. The big question is, will it work?"
At the popular blog, TechCrunch, MG Siegler said "Let's be clear on what this
really is. This is Google dropping the mother of all bombs on its rival,
Microsoft."
Microsoft releases Windows 7 later this year to replace Windows Vista and
Windows XP which is eight years old.
The Redmond based company claims that 96% of netbooks run Windows to date.
Out of beta
In a separate announcement Google also revealed that many of its most popular
applications had finally moved out of trial, or beta, phase.
Gmail, for example, has worn the beta tag for five years.
"We realise this situation puzzles some people, particularly those who
subscribe to the traditional definition of beta software as being not yet ready
for prime time," wrote Matthew Glotzbach, the director of product management in
the official Google blog.
The decision to ditch the beta tag was taken because the apps had finally
reached the "high bar" mark, he wrote.
More than 1.75 million companies use Google apps, according to the firm.