Filed under: OS Updates, Google, Open Source
Google to shed light on actual Chrome OS - not the browser - on Friday 10/16
No, that "early build" MG Siegler was raving about isn't an OS. It's just the browser. Over at ComputerWorld, Google's Eitan Bencuya offered some much-needed clarification: "This is just the *browser* component of Chrome OS, not the operating system itself. We are currently working on building Chrome the browser for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chrome OS, and the source code of the browser for all four platforms is all public."
So there you have it. While that won't spell the end of the misleading titles, it's nice to have an official comment from someone who actually knows what they're talking about.
Now the plot thickens. Google is hosting an event in Mountain View tomorrow, where the topics will include - what else - Chrome OS. The Front End Engineering Open House will take place at 6PM PT, and will feature presentations and an hour of mingling with Google staffers (presumably including those working on Chrome OS).
Maybe tomorrow we'll finally have some actual insights into the OS itself, and not just the browser. If we do, you'll read about them here. And I love Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols' guess as to when we might see a public download for Chrome OS. He's pegging October 22nd - the same day Microsoft launches Windows 7.
Google wouldn't try to steal Microsoft's thunder like that, would they.....?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MarkyB86 said 7:12PM on 10-15-2009
"Google wouldn't try to steal Microsoft's thunder like that, would they.....?"
Shitchyea!
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sharkbait said 8:23PM on 10-15-2009
"...isn't an OS. It's just the browser."
*Sigh* No, this isn't actually the whole operating system, but with Chrome OS, the browser essentially IS the OS. This is where most of the functionality will be. The user won't care about the underlying kernel or shell or installer or anything. I.e. everything the user sees is the browser. Also, revision 29061 shows that Chrome OS is fullscreen by default, meaning that nothing other than the browser will be showing.
http://src.chromium.org/viewvc/chrome?view=rev&revision=29061
This debate is similar to the Linux-is-the-kernel-not-the-OS one. This just confuses the average user, who, frankly, doesn't care.
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Lee Mathews said 8:34PM on 10-15-2009
But the average user does care about things like burning cds, listening to MP3s, and watching downloaded videos.
Isn't there a chance that the application dock referenced will include some applications people WILL care about -- other than the browser?
sharkbait said 9:05PM on 10-15-2009
Ah, I see your point. Chrome already has a very rudimentary file browser, (just go to file:///anything) and I think this would be extended into a modern/standard HTML one. Though, of course, that's currently speculation, (I don't have an svn revision to reference :) but it seems like a good idea to me. The fullscreen-by-default thing really convinces me, though.
As for the application dock, is that the thing in the top left? It being a HTML page (I think the Google login page will change to a chrome://..., similar to chrome://newtab/, page) makes me think that it wouldn't have anything to do with external applications (if any).
Many (most?) netbooks don't have CD burners. Though if Google does decide to add that feature, I imagine it would have an HTML frontend with an existing backend (e.g. Brasero).
Judging from the language in the original, official announcement, I really think Chrome OS will just be the browser. Google's investing a ton of time in developing new web technologies, (e.g., HTML5, Google Docs) and I think they're aiming for the web to be the platform, instead of the OS.
psycros said 4:34AM on 10-16-2009
Google is a step ahead of everyone except possibly Apple. They both realize what users want - one OS to rule them all. What I run on my desktop I should be able to run on my netbook or phone, assuming it has the horsepower to do so. There's no excuse or logical reason to do otherwise. Microsoft thought that having the same look and feel was good enough and did little to unify its PC and mobile flavors of Windows. Had they been a little smarter they would probably own our phones as well as our desktops, and it would Apple playing catch-up. Bottom line: its NOT the browser, its the apps. The browser is just a delivery mechanism that makes the underlying platform largely irrelevant.
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MarkyB86 said 6:40PM on 10-16-2009
So did this meeting go down yet? I want details!
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Mysterius said 7:46PM on 10-16-2009
Pacific Time, so still an hour and 15 minutes as of this comment.
MarkyB86 said 7:50PM on 10-16-2009
Whoops LOL Thanks!
Nick said 10:20AM on 10-19-2009
Is there an update on this? I can't find news anywhere about this meeting?
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