Google Chrome OS hype

by Stii

googlechromelogoGoogle announced today their new Google Chrome OS. As they put it:

“It’s our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be,”
and
“However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web.”

If one thinks about it, it makes a lot of sense what Google is trying to do. It would (should?) be a far less complex system. The apps you’re used to use will live online and will be rendered and displayed using HTML5. It can be done. It is, IMHO, a good idea. Yes, connectivity and bandwidth issues plays a big role, but we all know thats the two things that is growing and not declining. I can see the potential and the practicality of it. I’m not convinced that it would be adopted on Enterprise level, but it would be something that could work for me and what I would use it for.

There are two things that bothers me:

1. Google Drops A Nuclear Bomb On Microsoft. And It’s Made of Chrome. – Techcrunch
Why would this be seen as a Nuclear Bomb on Microsoft? C’mon Techcrunch, thats a bit sensational wouldn’t you agree? It would be YEARS before big corporates and Windows users would ditch their Microsoft investments for Chrome OS, so I do not think they are sweating yet. In fact, they have more than enough time to build a competitive product IF they are clever. I’m not so sure they are as clever as they are arrogant. Be a bit more realistic and less sensational, please!

2. Why is Google riding this Open Source wave with so much enthusiasm?
Don’t get me wrong, I think it is absolutely fabulous, I’m just wondering “why”? Surely they have or at least can get the best of the best, no? So why make such a big deal about it? I’m not sure. I guess I should be thanking Google instead of questioning their motives, right? If they are so passionate about OSS then why not release everything? Why not Gmail, Google Search, Adsense/Adwords, Google Docs, etc? Maybe I’m just not thinking this strategy of theirs through properly. Maybe they simply don’t pay enough to rope in and retain the badass ninja coders. I cannot really say with conviction, but would love to know.

Kudos to André van Rooyen who saw this coming when the Chrome browser was released when I did not. I’m starting to see the light and catch his drift.