Google to launch OS

nobby24

I think this is good news, they'll give Microsoft some meaningful competition at last. Not that I've anything against MS but could lead to improvements all round.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8139711.stm

timbim_2

I don't see any particular reason it should be any better than ubuntu netbook remix, which I'm told is very good, although I've never used it myself. If the ubuntu version (9.04) it's based on is anything to go by, it might only be the marketing weight of google that makes it popular. I'd like to see ubuntu get more popular, the netbook remix should with any luck replace that horrible linpus system that was on netbooks, which I think served as a turn-off to linux for most people.

[Deleted User]

Hmm, I'd be concerned over my privacy since Google don't exactly have a good reputation in that area. Eggs and basket springs to mind.

prowla

Well, operating systems have really got stuck in a rut over the past decade; UNIX is 40 years old and is still the best offering, and Windows is based on precisely the same technology but isn't quite as good.

Perhaps the Google OS will be the first step in a new way forward, who knows?

I would like to see something very modular, where you don't "install" things per-se, but rather bring along a self-contained item (eg. an app on a wireless enabled memory stick) and it works straight off. Likewise storage is just a chunk that you power on and it's there. So the OS then becomes a sort of glue that ites things together, rather than a huge lumbering behemoth. If you need more processing power or memory then just bring it along and it works.
Of course, that is a bit pie in the sky.

My guess though is that the Google plan will be to integrate with Google on the web and lock you in in some way.

kwikbreaks

anewhope wrote: »

Hmm, I'd be concerned over my privacy since Google don't exactly have a good reputation in that area. Eggs and basket springs to mind.

If you use the internet then the chances are that google could already write a dossier on you several inches thick. Same for all of us. Their only real interest in anybody though is figuring out which adverts to put before them for maximum clickthrough and given the services they provide I'll accept that minor loss of privacy.

I use adblock on this netbook because mobile BB is slow - at home I figure the web has to be paid for somehow and I prefer advertising over the subscription model so I don't block it.

aliEnRIK

I think google are on planet cuckoo if they truly believe no one will be able to 'hack' the OS

"We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
"It should just work," said Google.

[Deleted User]

aliEnRIK wrote: »

I think google are on planet cuckoo if they truly believe no one will be able to 'hack' the OS

"We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
"It should just work," said Google.

I almost can't believe my eyes..

ABH_3

Heard this on R4 this morning, first read it on techcrunch a YEAR ago, they were going to suggest it to google in light of their work on their phone s\w. There was some discussion about porting this to their new tablet that they were\are producing, this assumes they ever get around to getting it out of beta and lets anyone buy it of course: http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/21/we-want-a-dead-simple-web-tablet-help-us-build-it/ think BIG ipod, but no bigger than a book and you've got the idea.

Seems Google thought it was a good idea it would seem. Google themselves are probably on a bit of a high what with their accolade from pwn2own and their browser success. If their OS is built the same way, who knows it may actually be better, if not as good as the competition.

kwikbreaks

It looks like they are proposing a web based solution. That means thin client and server. The client (your computer) will not be much more than a browser - checkout the name - chrome OS - they already have a chrome browser. All meat of the applications will be back on planet google and they will be the ones applying any security updates.

That said I can't see it being a competitor to Windows. I use google docs and the spreadsheet is pretty kludgy to my mind.

MORPH3US

If its as good (and fast) as Google Chrome web browser then i'll be very happy!

Jaffa.

aliEnRIK wrote: »

I think google are on planet cuckoo if they truly believe no one will be able to 'hack' the OS

"We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.
"It should just work," said Google.

Maybe their planning to base the OS in ROM like the old Acorn computers, and it will be that basic that your Google docs and your Google youtube will be done via Google chrome.