- December 14, 2010 7:14 am
Think every ex-Googler is gung-ho about the company’s current service roadmap? Think again. Gmail creator-turned-investor Paul Buchheit, came out with some sharp criticism for his former employees latest Chrome OS efforts. Specifically, he states that ChromeOS will either die, or merge with Android.
Thus far, Google has stood by multiple claims that Android and ChromeOS are two distinct, different operating systems that cater to two very different types of users. At the same time, Google’s own Sergey Brin has said that Google will “produce a single OS down the road” as recently as late-2009. Adding to the speculative nature (and grim outlook) of this topic, ChromeOS’ top architect Matthew Papakipos, left the company for Facebook earlier this past summer.
I can certainly see Buchheit’s outlook playing out. At the same time, the two OS model has survived years of experimentation by Microsoft. Thoughts?
One of the big things about Chrome OS is that it is entirely web-based. It’s a novel idea that is certainly a minority in the traditional PC market. While world travelers and mobile hipsters may find the Chrome OS everything they needed and nothing more, I’ve seen some chatter that power users may feel that Chrome OS as it’s been shown so far, is a tad limiting.
But there may be hope. According to a Google employee, Gary Ka?mar?ík, native desktop applications/legacy apps will be supported in Chrome OS through a process called (unofficially official) “Chromoting”. Apparently, Chromoting is being described as a sort of Desktop Remote Connection service. So far, when pressed further neither Ka?mar?ík or Google would comment further.
It’s all pretty interesting stuff. The shroud of mystery ensues that plenty of geeks will go into the weekend pondering away all there is to ponder about Chrome OS. Of course, there’s also those who think Chrome OS is a waste of time. Where to you sit?
- November 19, 2009 2:05 pm
Google junkies and all around simpletons with curiosity bouncing off the charts in regards to Google’s Chrome OS can finally have some visual treats to munch on. Taking a quick glance above, you can see that it’s a lot like the Chrome browser. To some that’s good, to others it’s bad. It’s highly effective though. After going through several different live blog events, the ease at which you switch between browser tabs and applications tabs really does blend the whole desktop/cloud line. But there’s more to know, so come on in…
- October 28, 2009 12:20 pm
That Google Chrome OS just got finished gushing about? Ya it’s fake. Sucks I know. Damn scammers. I’ve already and gone ahead and updated the original post. This is just so it gets to the top of people’s feed lists. Again, it’s a fake. Resist temptation and do not download. You’ve been warned.
Daring Fireball
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- October 28, 2009 10:25 am
**Update
Damn, seems like that was a short lived sucker punch, as a matter of fact, no such surprise existed. This isn’t an official release. John Gruber was able to look past the instant wave of geekery that claimed me as a victim and noticed a couple glaring issues with the most apparent being a bunch of installed software on an OS supposed to be based on the cloud. Some clever scammer is responsible for the link now appropriately struck through below which leads to the fake download page. Worth noting though that it is hosted on Google’s site. That surely won’t make them too happy…
Anyone else get too excited?
Talk about a sucker punch! With Chrome OS has been a might tight secret with only a few screenshots here and there to alert us that there even is such a thing is now an official *beta* release. I’m downloading it as we speak and will give some more impressions later tonight.
Download Google Chrome OS beta: Google
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Apple uses a totalitarian approach with the iPhone. Microsoft offers a mad grab for developers and hardware vendors alike. The two methods at which these two companies provide mobile services are complete opposites. Each have their pro’s and con’s. Apple’s uniformed approach brings tight integration and unparalleled compatibility. Microsoft’s approach with Windows Mobile allows a daunting list of choices as well as easier access for developers. Until now, Google has taken more or less the same path that Windows Mobile and Microsoft trod. That is, Google released Android to the masses and allows hardware and software makers to tweak the open OS into any configuration they want. Because of this, Android is already seeing striations bringing clear differences. These differences can be seen between the likes of the stock Android build, HTC’s Sense UI, Sony’s Rachel, Motorola’s BLUR as well as more that are sure to come. At some point, as Android becomes more widespread, that tight cohesiveness will wither away. But does it have to? What if Google enters it’s own market?
That could very well become a reality if word from Ashok Kumar, analyst at Northeast Securities is true. Kumar claims Google will release their own branded phone (ala iPhone) by years end with a Google branded netbook packing Chrome OS early next year. A Google branded device straight from Google would be pretty tight and ensure the utmost compatibility with everything Google. Though such an approach would surely step on a few manufacturers toes don’t you think? What’s odd though is Google releasing their own device right when Android is really starting to take off.
- September 3, 2009 7:29 am
**Image taken from Mashable**
Look back in time to the year 2008 (so long ago…I know) and try to remember when a little browser called Chrome was released into the spotlight. At first, there was a ton of fanfare and downloads as geeks and even non-geeks alike rushed to download this new hyped up browser. After the hype faded, it seemed that only geeks and internet junkies kept using Chrome. Through the trials and tribulations this past year, Google’s wonder browser has accomplished some mighty impressive feats. On this historic first birthday for Google’s internet baby, they shared the following:
Since September 2, 2008, there have been:
– 51 developer releases, 21 beta releases or updates, and 15 stable releases or updates
– Over 20,600 bugs filed (4367 of them were duplicates, 3505 have been fixed, which leaves a whole lot left to go!)
– 11 external committers and bug editors, 46 external code contributors
– 50 Chrome Experiments
– 26 posts on the Google Chrome blog
– 12 Chrome Shorts, a collection of short films about Google Chrome
– A sequel to the comic in Japanese
More importantly, we’ve improved by over 150% on Javascript performance since our initial beta.
Definitely some pretty darn good progress, though, in a years time, Chrome has managed to grab a paltry 2.84% of the browser market. If you have trouble with numbers and graphs, I’ll give you a hint — It’s not that good. Still, Google charges on. And charge on they should. Google brought with it dramatically faster performance as well as a new style that while not everyone’s cup of tea, has many other browser developers rethinking their own styling, the latest examples being Safari 4′s failed attempt at tab-on-top design as well as rumors of Firefox 4 getting a dramatic overhaul.
After one whole year, 365 days, 8766 hours, 525,600 minutes, or 31 556 926 minutes (depending on how you look at it), Google Chrome has achieved quite a bit in it’s infancy. Again however, it has quite a ways to go before it can claim fame like bigger contenders such as IE and Firefox. Even more exciting builds inside of me as I await more information and the eventual release of Google’s next project: Chrome OS, a web based OS of sorts. With the start of a great browser, a web based OS can only help if executed properly. So here we wait.
I for one am hopeful. Hopeful that Chrome doesn’t just become another tech flop. A hope that Chrome can grow, innovate not only itself but continue to cause other browsers to innovate as well. For as we all know. Competition benefits all.
Source: Mashable,
When Google announced the development of and future release of Chrome OS, many people took a step back rather confused. Google has until recently been an online/web app type of company. Android brought them into the world of “desktop” software for mobile devices. With Chrome OS, Google looks to be breaking right in to Microsoft’s luxurious downtown apartment and running off with their precious jewel: the desktop OS. Now I’m not launching Chrome OS to the top of the OS heap by any means. They have a long and tedious uphill battle ahead of them. But on has to look at Android and the advances developers have made in order to get it running on netbooks/notebooks and ask ourselves if Google knows what they’re doing by introducing a very similar second OS? Steve Ballmer seems to be asking that very same question.
Leaked screenshots of products often draw quite the nerdy crowd. This supposedly leaked shot of an early Google Chrome OS build is no different, especially given the contenders the little OS is up against: Apple, Microsoft, and the free loving community that supports Linux. The screenshot shows a very minimal looking desktop. Though, seeing as how the actual release of said OS isn’t until sometime next year, I’m sure the desktop will undergo some refinements and alterations before go time. The person to thank for the early eye grab would be an Acer parts supplier residing in Taiwan. The legitimacy of these photos does have some doubts however as such a screenshot wouldn’t be that hard to put together yourself. Moving forward, what exactly does this early build of Chrome OS show us?
