This week we all got excited about the news that we’ve speculated on for a long time. A new operating system from the search giant. Even though we've already sort of seen this coming, it had some people losing control of themselves!
I wanted to share my thoughts on this and look at why this is a big thing.
Whose it for?
With a new operating system on the radar, there’s going to be lots of speculation on what’s included in it and who it’s going to target.
Looking back at the range of products by Google, it’s easy to identify them as products that are only used by technically aware people only. Google do make products based on great tech, but they also make them easy to use. So who is is the new operating system for?
Simple. Everyone!
Like previous products in the past, Google has always created simple products that can be fine tuned by the user to a more advanced level. I think the new OS will be like this. An operating system for the masses, but one that the techies can tweak away to their hearts content.
The competition
It’s easy to say that the primary competition for the new OS will be Microsoft. They’ve rode a rough storm in the last few years with the unsuccessful take up of Windows Vista, and Apple making serious inroads into the market with growing sales.
With Google Chrome OS on the horizon, people will interested in initially trying this out rather than Windows 7. People already have existing hardware and devices, and being able to put a free OS on all your compatible devices will mean big savings for people.
I’m already thinking of having a new PC in the house using the Google Chrome OS, so that the family can access the web with the new OS instead of using my Macbook.
Integration
With all the Google products current available, it would be silly of Google not to provide at least minimal integration between it’s more popular products. Google Gears is already on popular applications like GMail, Reader and Google Apps, so I can’t imagine them not providing some kind of integrated off line synchronization to a local data or file store.
Google also have client-side products such Google Desktop, Picasa and of course the recent release of their web browser, Chrome. Being a web platform, Chrome will be the browser of choice, but it’s too early to tell if Google Desktop and Picasa will make an appearance.
It’s a good thing having options
I’m excited about the prospect of a new entry into the OS market and one that will definitely shake up the still dominant Microsoft share of the market. Having competition is great for innovation and perhaps as a result of this we’ll see better ideas implemented by others in the OS market.
