The Role of Google Chrome OS in the Netbook Market
Posted: October 29, 2009
Image courtesy of Google, Inc.
By Jeff Orr, ABI Research
Google’s investment in Internet software began with a search engine and email, and has now expanded to include the Google Apps suite and the Chrome Web browser. Now, Google has announced plans to introduce a Web-centric operating system-Chrome OS-during the second half of 2010.
Based on a Linux kernel, Chrome OS is intended to compete with the upcoming Windows 7 OS from Microsoft and is initially targeted at netbooks. Similar to Google’s strategy with the Android mobile operating system, Google Chrome OS will be moved into the open source community, estimated to be later this year.
Google’s likely entrance into the computing OS market has generated mixed reactions. Consensus from netbook processor and system vendors has been positive. “This levels the playing field,” they say, a reference to the early dominance of Intel Atom-based hardware paired with the Windows XP operating system. ARM-based systems do not have access to desktop versions of Windows. The Chrome OS announcement defines platform support as simultaneous access to functionality for ARM and x86 processors.
General opposition to Google’s announcement comes from what “might” happen in the market over the next 12 months before commercial availability of Chrome OS. Several netbook vendors have announced plans to introduce Android OS on systems this year. Does the Chrome OS carrot stall these introductions or end netbook development on Android altogether?
To download this white paper, click here.
Loading ...