Google Starts New Microsoft War with Chrome OS

[Bhuryn]

Wonder if they're planning on supporting DirectX =). I'd be interested if they do.

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Google Starts New Microsoft War with Chrome OS
Wed Jul 8, 2009 6:38am EDT

When Google (GOOG) launched Android, the open-source operating system designed to power mobile Internet devices, industry analysts were surprised to discover that PC manufacturers had begun to use it to power netbooks, the cheap, low-power laptops that have become among the biggest sellers in a dismal market. Now, Google has thrown itself fully into the netbook market with the release of Chrome OS, a new operating system based on its Web browser and designed to directly challenge Microsoft (MSFT) for the future of the personal computer.
The search giant had originally planned to announce the release today but bumped it up to yesterday after the New York Times got wind of it. In a blog post, Google Vice President of Product Management Sundar Pichai and engineering director Linus Upson wrote that Chrome OS will be specifically configured to directly connect to the Web as quickly as possible, without the operating system's interface slowing you down as it powers software on the computer. In short, it's designed to be a seamless way to use cloud-based computing, with all the relevant software and security systems operating from servers maintained by Google.

"We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," Pichai and Upson wrote. "The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are 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. It should just work."

Times reporters Miguel Helft and Ashlee Vance point out that the new wave of netbooks have left Microsoft in an uncomfortable position. Many of the new laptops bypassed Windows and use Linux-based operating systems, forcing Microsoft to dust off the old Windows XP system and offer it at a major discount. Undoubtedly, said Silicon Valley investor Larry Augustin, Google noticed that Microsoft was vulnerable here and struck.

According to PC World, Google is already partnering with PC manufacturers in China and Taiwan to roll out Chrome-based machines and will announce the names of these partners in the next few days. For Microsoft, which has already stumbled with the low popularity of its Vista operating system, this is a serious challenge to its core business and one that they will not take lightly. In short, this is Google's Bing

[Revalos]

If games developers support it (like you said, DirectX compatible or some kind of reverse OpenGL compatibility with high end games) this could be a coup. MS has nothing but PC gameheads at this point. Businesses using open office on Sun thin clients, designers use linux/macs with adobe, casual users using their mobile devices with web access. Only the hardcore gamers remain on the PC end of the spectrum, and MS has stupidly been trying to get them on the 360 instead of directly supporting further PC game development.

[Fallen]

If games developers support it (like you said, DirectX compatible or some kind of reverse OpenGL compatibility with high end games) this could be a coup. MS has nothing but PC gameheads at this point. Businesses using open office on Sun thin clients, designers use linux/macs with adobe, casual users using their mobile devices with web access. Only the hardcore gamers remain on the PC end of the spectrum, and MS has stupidly been trying to get them on the 360 instead of directly supporting further PC game development.

Well said.

[Bhuryn]

I think DirectX has openGL support now doesn't it? This could mean serious changes for the way businesses look at cloud computing, managed software soltuions, etc.

[AestheticDeath]

Someone should rip Google for outsourcing to China and Taiwan...

[radamanthys]

Someone should rip Google for outsourcing to China and Taiwan...

Why rip one for something everyone does? It's like a cop pulling over dale earnhardt for speeding during the indy 500 or whatever.

[AnticorRifling]

A dead guy in a stock car during an IRL race should get pulled over imo.

[Bhuryn]

They aren't outsourcing, they're working with PC companies in those countries. They're probably not going to get a serious glance from companies here until they have some success. Those markets are the perfect market for it to start out in.

[Stanley Burrell]

A dead guy in a stock car during an IRL race should get pulled over imo.

Facist.

...

This totally won't be hax0red. Look at this picture of a white hat, as proof:

http://www.mycee.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/white-hat-sm.jpg

[Kuyuk]

I'd love to try their OS if they make it compatible for gaming (like everyone else said).

Google rocks, and they know how to run a business - even if it meant putting me out of a job.


K.

[CrystalTears]

Google rocks, and they know how to run a business - even if it meant putting me out of a job.I thought you were a chef.

[Bhuryn]

I thought you were a chef.

Maybe people googling recipes?

[Latrinsorm]

The Chrome web browser is awesome. I can only assume that the Chrome OS will be similarly awesome.

[radamanthys]

The Chrome web browser is awesome. I can only assume that the Chrome OS will be similarly awesome.

Holy shitballs, we agree on something!

Hehe.

[AestheticDeath]

Why rip one for something everyone does? It's like a cop pulling over dale earnhardt for speeding during the indy 500 or whatever.

Look at the times we are in. Look at how big and rich Google is. Shouldn't they help set an example and keep the jobs here? I don't care how many others outsource to other countries, I don't think it is right.

[AestheticDeath]

They aren't outsourcing, they're working with PC companies in those countries. They're probably not going to get a serious glance from companies here until they have some success. Those markets are the perfect market for it to start out in.

They are getting someone from another country to build the computers that will use their system. And likely sell them everywhere. They could just as easily get an American company to do it, or fund their own computer manufacturing plant. It isn't like they are hurting for money. And they are seemingly smart people...

[radamanthys]

And they are seemingly smart people...

Just because you don't like globalization doesn't mean it isn't happening. The answer isn't to say "No, you can't do that!". The answer is to make our shores more attractive.

[Bobmuhthol]

Yeah, Google could throw away money senselessly, but they would also lose investors for being retarded.

[diethx]

A dead guy in a stock car during an IRL race should get pulled over imo.

I thought this same thing when I read rad's post.

I've lived in the south too long, heh.

[radamanthys]

I thought this same thing when I read rad's post.

I've lived in the south too long, heh.

I don't know shit about NASCAR.

I'm glad I grew up in one of the only Bourgeois parts of Upstate NY.

[diethx]

I didn't either til I moved here. I can't stand it, but J's mom is a real hick and loves her some NASCAR, so I get to hear about it.

[Bobrobertbobson]

This is only tangentially related, but does anyone know whether/how to log into gemstone using google chrome? I just installed it (Firefox is giving me some strange problems), and I couldn't get stormfront to launch. I'd appreciate any suggestions you tech-savvy folk might have.

The character profile (or whatever the file is) is downloading, but the game launcher doesn't do anything. The website tells me (in chrome) that active x controls are not active, but I am very confused about how to change that in chrome. Any thoughts?

[radamanthys]

I didn't either til I moved here. I can't stand it, but J's mom is a real hick and loves her some NASCAR, so I get to hear about it.

You poor thing.

[radamanthys]

This is only tangentially related, but does anyone know whether/how to log into gemstone using google chrome? I just installed it (Firefox is giving me some strange problems), and I couldn't get stormfront to launch. I'd appreciate any suggestions you tech-savvy folk might have.

Download the launcher.

[Bobrobertbobson]

Download the launcher.

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough. I have the launcher. It just isn't doing anything with chrome. Does it need to be reinstalled for each browser?

Chrome defaults to having active x controls off, and I can't figure out how to turn them on. Do you think this could be the problem? If so, any idea on how to fix it?

[radamanthys]

Sorry, I wasn't specific enough. I have the launcher. It just isn't doing anything with chrome. Does it need to be reinstalled for each browser?

Chrome defaults to having active x controls off, and I can't figure out how to turn them on. Do you think this could be the problem? If so, any idea on how to fix it?

I don't think so.

I use the SGE, which is infinitely easier, so I'm at a disadvantage. ActiveX is only part of IE, which is why you need the launcher in the first place. For me in chrome, It'll download a .sal file. If you open that, it should work.

[Bobrobertbobson]

Wow, I can't believe it was really that simple. All I had to do was double click the .sal file! I got so accustomed to having it both download AND open automatically in firefox, that didn't even occur to me. This is like the time when I was 7 years old that I spent 10 minutes looking everywhere for my sunglasses before realizing they were on my head.

Doh! And also, hooray!

[radamanthys]

Wow, I can't believe it was really that simple. All I had to do was double click the .sal file! I got so accustomed to having it both download AND open automatically in firefox, that didn't even occur to me. This is like the time when I was 7 years old that I spent 10 minutes looking everywhere for my sunglasses before realizing they were on my head.

Doh! And also, hooray!

Glad to help. :-)