The internet is abuzz with the announcement by Google that it will be releasing its own operating system (OS) next year, firstly for Netbooks and later for other PCs. Some say that this pitches Google head-on with Microsoft, which massively dominates the OS market (with Apple and Linux distant second and third respectively). The new OS will be called Google Chrome OS, in line with the release a few months ago of their Chrome browser, and the company claims it will be focused on speed and security.
The announcement raises more questions than answers. It is unlikely that those who write software will want to rewrite their programs for yet another system, and anyway, Google is pushing hard for a world in which all applications are internet-based, and nothing resides on your home computer except the operating system. But while the number and variety of internet-based applications is exploding, are we ready for a world where all your confidential data is accessible to someone else (no matter what they say about online security)? And while that might work for people who have cheap and high-quality broadband, what about the vast majority whose broadband is at best patchy and expensive, or who can't even get adequate dial-up?
Some articles to help you sift through the issues: FAQ re Google Chrome; Five reasons Google Chrome will succeed; Five reasons Google Chrome will fail.
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