Google's announcement of ChromeOS has sparked widely varying opinions on the Internet.
On its own, ChromeOS is an open source operating system targeting netbooks and desktop PCs. Google's intent is to support cloud computing -- internal or external. At this level, ChromeOS is certainly a threat to the Linux versions in that space. While an open source project, ChromeOS has the financial backing of a major player that can push development of device drivers and core functionality.
Given Microsoft's absence from the netbook market and ownership of business desktops, the threat to Microsoft is indirect. Will businesses migrate to OpenOffice? Will they run "office in the cloud"?
If you combine ChromeOS with Wave, however, the story changes. While most of the world focused on Wave's user interface, I find Google's stated intention of letting customers run federated servers in-house most fascinating. Wave is a private-cloud platform. Combine federated Wave servers with ChromeOS and you have the potential for an ecosystem.
ChromeOS on the desktop connecting to in-house, shared, and public Wave servers as well as other cloud computing services. Google has the potential to fundamentally change the way businesses compute.
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I think after the Windows Vista debacle, the economy, and the excitement Wave has produced, you will see a great adoption of Chrome OS. Wave is going to change the way EVERYONE (even Enterprises)will communicate in the next 5 years.
ReplyDeleteNetbooks are FLYING off of the shelves. Radio Shack is having trouble keeping them in stock. WalMart is a selling a ton of them. The biggest complaint netbook users have is that is still runs Windows and it is slow. Chrome OS changes all of that by being fast, free, open, and it has the Google name behind it.
It is about time! Mac OS even has to take notice if they do not come out with a Netbook of their own (which is rumoured).
My only problem is...Which netbook running Chrome OS will I buy? :-)