With the new Chrome OS

Google declares that it attempts to release an operating system designed for netbooks which is said to boot in seconds, to remain immune to viruses and to run Web-based apps in a good manner. Google’s Chrome OS may represent in this case a threat to the software producers, such as Microsoft, but at the same time Google won’t mind if its OS will be a success or a failure.

After the announcement was made everybody, including the consumers, is eager to lay hands on it. Meanwhile chip makers (Qualcomm and Texas Instruments), computers producers (Acer and HP), together with software developers (Adobe) are co-operating to design and build Chrome OS devices.

This operating system is targeting to the growing segment of the computer industry – the netbooks, since they are statistically recording a 260 percentage in worldwide sales. It is not a sure fact, but gossip says that HP might end up selling Chrome OS netbook connected to a wireless plan belonging to Verizon Wirelss. All this time netbook producers and wireless carriers are displaying several netbook promotions, even though Chrome OS is going to be free and for running it you do not need a maximal hardware requirement, in this way allowing computers companies to come up with very cheap computers. This situation is similar to what Apple has accomplished through its iPhone when it revolutionized the wireless industry in that it created a Chrome OS device to connect to a source for running apps such as iTunes App Store.

With the new Chrome OS, a lot of challenges are on the way; Google has to compete with Linux option called Moblin backing the Intel and planned to reach the netbooks in a short time. Another challenge would be cast by the privacy issues; the question is if the consumers would like to have their computing habits exposed to the eyes of their company. Not to mention the fact that Microsoft in order to protect its software field will feel the menace and will probably campaign about its desktop software assuring the consumers of its presence on the netbooks next to its Windows 7. In July Microsoft is known to release its own brand of Web services with the online versions of Office software free for consumers, months before the Chrome OS is programmed to be launched.

It is not officially stated but it is thought that actually Google’s plan is to wake up the software producers and make them realize that the future belongs to online programs rather than desktop software. Its purpose is to force software developers to consider the option of building Web services that can be run in the browser system instead of Windows OS. And if so, we are left with the question: what is the reward for Google? Well, maybe it doesn’t necessary have to be one, considering that Google is a master in advertising and all it does for now is owning almost every aspect that is contained in your digital life starting with OS you use to how you browse and work on line.