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The Google Threat Is Real. Or Is It?
Posted Jul 08, 2009 01:42pm EDT by Chris Nichols in Computers, Internet, MediaGoogle, that titan of Internet search, is now aiming to take down one of its main rivals in another key area of personal computing -- operating systems.
That's right. It's rolling out its very own OS. Naturally, Google's announcement that it wants some of the business currently dominated by that outfit up in Redmond called Microsoft has generated a lot of buzz. Let's face it, we're only talking about one of the most important technology companies ever, and when it does something like this, people are bound to take notice.
Here's the pitch. "Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS," we learn at The Official Google Blog. "We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web."
If that weren't enough, we're told that security enhancements should mean users won't have to worry about viruses or malware or security updates.
Just weeks ago, Steve Ballmer & Co. hit at their Mountain View opponents with the search engine Bing. Now this for the return volley? If only we could all get along. Maybe one day, but since we don't appear quite ready to be unified by some Borg-like network, we're going to have to accept that this type of fighting will be our reality.
With that said, let's take a look at what some observers around the Web think of Google's OS invasion, from the straightforward to the slightly more pointed.
The New York Times stated it pretty plainly. "The move is likely to sharpen the already intense competition between Google and Microsoft, whose Windows operating system controls the basic functions of the vast majority of personal computers."
As a result of that fact, Google's OS will be geared toward small netbook PCs at the outset. The paper spoke to Larry Augustin, an investor who's on the board of some open-source companies, and he said that's an area where Google felt it could take on Microsoft. "Market changes happen at points of discontinuity," he was quoted as saying. "And that's what you have with netbooks and a market that has moved to mobile devices."
The Wall Street Journal pointed out that Google "has been trying to compete with Microsoft and other software makers by offering more software that runs in a Web browser and isn't downloaded directly to computers. Now it appears to be broadening its approach, in a move that could give it greater distribution of its own online software services, including word-processing and email software."
However, the report also indicated that Google's move could worry privacy advocates and others concerned about the company's data-collection practices.
At PC World, Ian Paul said he had a few questions about the OS. One of them was whether it would keep Microsoft up at night.
His response? "Don't make me laugh. Chrome OS is about as much a threat to Microsoft as a mosquito is to a bear -- assuming the mosquito doesn't have Malaria that is. It's hard to envision Chrome OS significantly impacting a full-featured OS like Windows."
Tech Crunch was clear enough, offering the headline, "Google Drops A Nuclear Bomb On Microsoft. And It's Made of Chrome."
In the piece, MG Siegler continues that line. "This is Google dropping the mother of bombs on its chief rival, Microsoft. It even says as much in the first paragraph of its post, 'However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web.' Yeah, who do you think they mean by that? And it's a genius play."
Silicon Alley Insider, in a post titled, "Google Launching OS, Firing Torpedo Into Microsoft (And Apple)," said Chrome has fallen short in the past and that Microsoft should stick to what it knows best.
"Microsoft needs to forget about competing with Google on search and start figuring out how to defend its crown jewels against this assault."
At ZDNet, Dennis Howlett said some of the early comments suggest at least a few people are viewing the Chrome OS as "the closest thing to the second coming of Jesus Christ." His advice? "Get a grip people."
John Oates for The Register notes that many companies have tried to invade Microsoft's stronghold before. "And none have succeeded. But then none have had the muscle or money of Google nor have they had its central position in web services to use as a foot in the door."
Interesting observation here from Om Malik at GigaOM. "I spent a big chunk of the morning reading many different stories and posts -- and they say absolutely nothing, apart from chunks of information out of the original blog post, which is well a lot of words that say nothing much."
Kevin Purdy at Lifehacker said he understands that the move is meant to get users more accustomed to things such as Gmail and the Google Calendar. "It's harder to figure out the specifics of how Google's platform will overcome the deeply entrenched Windows familiarity that has kept other Linux-based netbook upstarts mostly in check, and how it will accommodate the vast array of x86 hardware compatibility quirks that plagues Linux distributions to this day."
Over at TheStreet.com, Scott Moritz offered the following: "So how big is this next generation software race? Who knows. But one thing seems clear: The hype will be huge."
Writing at Wired's Epicenter, Ryan Singel said that, "If indeed Google puts out a fast, easy to use operating system that lets netbooks soar and free users from constant software patches, Microsoft will find it very hard to explain to users why they should continue to use its software, other than just out of a foolish consistency."
Finally, I'll leave you with this, from Stan Schroeder at Mashable.
"It'll be a long, excruciating battle, but I can already tell you who's going to win. You. Us. Whatever happens, we -- the users -- will have a better, faster, simpler, more web-oriented operating system. Will it have a Microsoft or a Google tag on it? Ultimately, it's not even that important."
Perhaps that's true for users. Of course investors might have a slightly different take.
65 Comments
Yahoo! Finance User - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:06PM EDT
But I DON'T want a full featured OS. I want a FASTER, SMALLER and SAFER OS. Microsoft's Windows is BULLSHIT. It always crashes, always have bugs, always freezes, endless popups and malware. Heck, I'm not even going to wait for Chrome, I'm already getting rid of Vista and I am installing Linux. The best FIX to Windows neverending problems is LINUX. I Love Linux, it works.
Dennis - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:17PM EDT
I blame our current state of economy on GW Bush for diverting our public attention away from our economy and unto the Iraq war.
C - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:32PM EDT
Am I missing something? Is this a replay of Sun vs. Microsoft? by Eric Schmidt? or was it Larry Ellison? who talked about net PC?
Mark - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:33PM EDT
I blame the entire world's problems on people who post irrelevant responses that are totally off topic. Google has mastered the art of vaporware: making big, splashy announcements, and then quietly never delivering. Like the Chrome browser, the OS will no doubt have a few nice features, many of which won't quite work. Those who jump on the platform will be frustrated, because Google never commits to producing anything more than beta quality. They will capture Microsoft's attention though.
Rosepw - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:34PM EDT
I just wish they would let me raise chickens in my back yard. We need the eggs when things get tough.
Yahoo! Finance User - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:45PM EDT
Will there be any anti-trust issues because the browser is the OS? MSFT got screwed because they integrated the browser too tightly with the OS. What happens to GOOG when the browser itself is the OS?
Yahoo! Finance User - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:45PM EDT
who cares about google. The world's leaders got together and agreed on 2 degrees celsius. We're fscked.
James - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:47PM EDT
I don't think the industry "experts" have a good understanding as to how fed-up people are with Microsoft and their slow, bug-prone, too-easily hacked operating systems -- and just yesterday MS had to put out another alert about a HUGE whole in their security. I agree with the previous sentiment: "But I DON'T want a full featured OS. I want a FASTER, SMALLER and SAFER OS. Microsoft's Windows is BULLSHIT. It always crashes, always have bugs, always freezes, endless popups and malware."
Dennis - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:53PM EDT
I agree, our worlds economic infrastructure is collapsing and someone in Yahoo has posted a Google article for discussion. Ohh forgot for a second, that the bottom line on this forum is Yahoo's bottom line. Damn right these threads should be hi-jacked.
Yahoo! Finance User - Wednesday July 08, 2009 02:59PM EDT
I dumped MSIE when Chrome was released and I haven't looked back. Google should create a decent and free anti-virus that doesn't consume all resources and take over the computer.
Russ - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:01PM EDT
It's just a matter of time before someone takes Microsoft's place. Their products are all second rate. If it's not google, it will be some other company.
M K - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:09PM EDT
Ofcourse this OS can work kids and basic internet users. May be even to build the websites on some primitive level. But for the real developers it's still a kids toy, can do anything with it, same as Mac. Everything still will be developing on MS or Unix. I was trying all those open source surrogates, a peace of crap. But something to start to build on.
Jose - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:16PM EDT
Google will help popularize Linux. The fight will eventually move to Linux: (a) google's OS (yahoo's OS, etc) if you want to optimize for the extra services and benefits that come with having a single large company host your data and other's data, or (b) a regular Linux distro optimized (as most Linux distros are) for running local applications and keeping your data local. Linux is open source. This means the user has ultimate control over every aspect of it (eg, can audit it and turn on/off anything to their liking). Oh, and Linux itself is 100% $0.
Steve S - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:17PM EDT
Well as long as I can still view the smut .jpg files I don't care.
Lamb-inator - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:20PM EDT
I'm accessing this story using the Google Chrome web browser. Do I need to say more?! OK, one thing, except for a few web plugins that aren't compatible yet, Chrome kicks IE's, and even Firefox's, @$$ in speed and stability! I finally know what a high speed internet connection feels like!
Nader - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:22PM EDT
A Google OS...sorry, BS....Usually this is how companies fall off the cliff...When they try to penetrate areas where they don't have enough expertise....I can understand Gmail to compete with Hotmail and Yahoo mail since Email is a web-service in the first place and Google is a web-services company...I can also understand any web-related service or application that Google create, but to create an OS where web is to be the main driver, come on...Let's face the reality, I am not and no body is going to use an OS where all my applications are running online...Corporates are not going to use that as well because of security issues...Corporates simply need intranets and their own secure systems and this is where Microsoft comes in..Yes, the windows is crap, but it is used by all corporations almost...Plus who is going to create all the programs and software which is compatible with this new Google OS???
Nader - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:23PM EDT
A Google OS...sorry, BS....Usually this is how companies fall off the cliff...When they try to penetrate areas where they don't have enough expertise....I can understand Gmail to compete with Hotmail and Yahoo mail since Email is a web-service in the first place and Google is a web-services company...I can also understand any web-related service or application that Google create, but to create an OS where web is to be the main driver, come on...Let's face the reality, I am not and no body is going to use an OS where all my applications are running online...Corporates are not going to use that as well because of security issues...Corporates simply need intranets and their own secure systems and this is where Microsoft comes in..Yes, the windows is crap, but it is used by all corporations almost...Plus who is going to create all the programs and software which is compatible with this new Google OS???
Nader - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:24PM EDT
A Google OS...sorry, BS....Usually this is how companies fall off the cliff...When they try to penetrate areas where they don't have enough expertise....I can understand Gmail to compete with Hotmail and Yahoo mail since Email is a web-service in the first place and Google is a web-services company...I can also understand any web-related service or application that Google create, but to create an OS where web is to be the main driver, come on...Let's face the reality, I am not and no body is going to use an OS where all my applications are running online...Corporates are not going to use that as well because of security issues...Corporates simply need intranets and their own secure systems and this is where Microsoft comes in..Yes, the windows is crap, but it is used by all corporations almost...Plus who is going to create all the programs and software which is compatible with this new Google OS???
M K - Wednesday July 08, 2009 03:24PM EDT
@ Jim. It's not much privacy left with the MS windows. With new OS you will be using web based applications, and everything you type will be out there on somebody's servers. How about for security on those servers? Do you think with all your information on the net you will be safe? Yeah, lets type your private documents on the web based word document, or enter your financial data in the web based spreadsheet. O yeah you will be really safe there. Besides Goog will decide where you can go on the net, or atleast where to go first.
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Yahoo! Finance User - Wednesday July 08, 2009 01:50PM EDT
Forget about any individual stock - audit the fed and start earning trust with investors.