Thoughts on Google’s Chrome OS

Last week Google provided further details about its first operating system for personal computers along with source code for third party developers to play with. What is most unique about Google’s entrance into the PC market is the idea of the first major attempt at a Web centric operating system along with redefining the user experience from applications to the hardware devices on which it will run. I believe its safe to say Google is way too early with this endeavor and there are clear reasons for this. I am not saying there is no place for a Web Centric Operating System, but the question is, what’s the point really?

I think they are being just a bit too bit ambitious. In fact, I think this is more of a Brin wanting a “me too” OS to compete against Windows, just like he want wanted a me too web browser against IE and Firefox. (Notice Eric Schmidt and Larry Page were not present at the event? Personally, I don’t think neither of them support this project. The fact that it got Eric kicked off Apples Board of Directors probably rubbed him the wrong way but that’s just speculation). Google realizes that the one trick pony Search can go so far and with Bing innovating at a fast pace, the cow that funds these projects Chrome and Android might dwindle over time. What Google needs to realize, they are not cut out for operating systems and trying to reinvent the wheel might just be the problem. The lack of Internet ubiquity and Wireless networks might pose a huge problem for the OS to really become a success.

The fact they are targeting it on low cost devices which would be targeted in developing markets where Internet Ubiquity is lacking, might make Google a doomed pioneer of the first web centric operating system. Why should should I bother spending money on a sequel to the Netbook from Google with a watered down OS when I can simply pay the same price or even less and get a decent Windows notebook that runs my existing local and web applications just fine? Right now I am typing this on a GPRS connection and its slow, I hardly use Chrome because its even slower to use and very incompatible with many of the sites I visit. Firefox is fast and I am able to get by with it. Just a few days ago some friends who live in an urban area had to leave town and come to country to use my lame Internet Connection to get work done because their fast speed Internet was down. Now imagine if they were not able to access the other resources on their computer like the Word Processor, because the Internet is down on a Chrome OS based PC? Google has not been very concrete about this problem and based on my experience with Google Gears its far from an answer, it uses more resources, is indeed slow and pretty much fails at the solving the problem of access to content offline.

Another problem is support for devices, will my GPRS Motorola C350 modem work with Chrome? It works in Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. What about my iPod Touch, Printer, Scanner? Yeah, new devices on the market will probably work, but what about what already exist out there? Microsoft announced 9,000 logo’d products for Windows 7 not too long ago. Will Google be able to achieve or create the platform for a breath of applications similar to Windows equal in functionality and user experience? Another problem is the Help and Support mechanism in place. Does Google have one? Based on their track record with issues in the past when Gmail went down I don’t think Google is even ready for the torrents of help issues they will have to deal with when customers start complaining, why won’t Firefox install? How do I get Microsoft Word on this thing?On top of that, what about all those 3D games? Yes, Google is not targeting that type of user, but at the same time it makes you wonder, who is Chrome OS really for? Another major point Google Engineers forget to clarify at the event.  One of the major benefits of the Windows ecosystem is that everybody who owns a computer knows Windows to some degree, whether you are a novice, intermediate, advanced user or an expert. Its not about Windows having problems, but its about getting help to do things? You can turn to a friend or colleague whether you need help with how to install a program, configure something, customize something etc. Will this be possible with Chrome OS for those early adopters and is Google up to the task to support it?

Google can’t even get Chrome for Linux and OS X done. Imagine using Chrome OS, a buggy, beta OS for the next 10 years?  Chrome OS makes Windows 7 Starter Edition look like Windows 7 Ultimate. Considering this is the 1.0 version of Chrome OS coming next year, its hard to see any Enterprise or even knowledgeable consumer choosing this as a platform to invest in.

Another issue I must ask, why are persons who support Chrome OS so gung ho invested in having Google keep all your data? You say Microsoft is the bad guy, well I think you are mistaken and need to take a closer look at Google. At least with Windows you have choice, OS X you have choice, Ubuntu Linux you have some albeit, limited choice (but its still choice). With Chrome OS its Sergey Brin’s way or nothing else. Sorry, but what Google is offering through Chrome OS, I can already get through my Windows 7 PC by simply hibernating it and I can be back on the Internet in 3 seconds or less plus I have access to hundreds of thousands of applications and devices.

Google is doing this out of momentum built from being the darling of the industry and utilizing the clout they have gotten out of the Search and Ad Revenue business. Will many people move to Chrome OS? I don’t doubt it, people move from different platforms everyday and Chrome OS will be no different. We live in a day and age of 24-7 information cycle, Twitter, Facebook, Blogs and RSS feeds. I don’t think Google wants to have their sullied on these networks saying, “Chrome OS #fail, stay away”. Google is in a precarious situation that can certainly make or break them, meaning, if Google fails at making Chrome something that people will be interested in after the first release there will be no reason at all to bother purchasing a Google computer when people realize you are buying a web browser on a notebook. People will also ask, why should I be locked into Google’s computer when I could simply run Windows which is compatible with the rest of the world, I can run my favorite apps, including the Chrome web browser if I want and have access to the same experiences?

Based on comments and opinions from folks around the web Google Chrome OS has been panned. Everybody is saying its lame and Google is way ahead of its time already! The fact that they (Google) are using this draconian measure of requiring specific hardware leaves much to be desired. I can run Windows 7 on any x86 based hardware I choose as long as it meets the minimum requirements. If Google goes forward the two biggest losers will be Google and Linux. A web centric operating system is not viable today, next year, 5 years or even 10 years from now, simply because the ubiquity of an Internet infrastructure that Google is requiring for Chrome OS does not exist, even if there is a good Internet infrastructure in some part of the world, its not completely reliable. The winning formula right now is software plus services and I am sorry for sounding Microsoft apologetic but its more likely the right combination for the right time. The PC has evolved over the past 30 years from a standalone computer on someone’s desk in an office, to a client/server experience, to large networks and the rise of the Internet over the past 15 years. Right now its about the best of both worlds, people want that combination of local access to their favorite applications but at the same time being able to utilize the power of the Internet for what its best at, information, communication and socialization.

The idea of the Internet powering the PC is not here yet, it will be here one day, but that one day is far, far away. Ok, so maybe Google will get the accolades for pioneering it, but the big question is, who will be the major player when it does take off at the right time?