Google Chrome OS: Ditch Your Hard Drives, the Future Is the Web

For some time now we have been hearing of Google’s plans to create their own computer operating server (OS). Yesterday, Google released more information on its upcoming Google Chrome OS. Unlike Microsoft Windows, Chrome OS will not be available for download or installation, bit instead will be pre-installed netbooks, whose maker(s) are still unknown. Netbooks are a fairly new concept. They are a sort of mini laptop, whose main focus is to browse the internet. Introduced into in 2008, netbooks have been a big hit, resulting in 35 million units shipped in 2009. The Chrome too, will be web-based, revolving around the Chrome web browser. However the Chrome OS netbook will distinguish itself by being bigger than most netbooks, being closer to the size of a regular notebook. For file storage, the Chrome OS netbooks will not have hard drives, but instead on flash memory and also internet-based storage. Additionally, all programs will be web-based. This relieves the user from needing to install programs, manage updates or backup their data. Google claims the user will not even have to bother with anti-virus software; it will monitor code to prevent malicious activity in Chrome OS web apps. The Google Chrome OS netbook will have a sensational start up time of approximately 7 seconds. Their vice president of product management quoted: “We want Google Chrome OS to be blazingly fast … to boot up like a TV”. The Google Chrome OS netbook will be released in late 2010. Price wise Google estimates an average netbook price: between $300 and $500.

By realizing the Chrome OS netbook idea, we are shown that technology is slowly moving towards being almost entirely web based. This is of upmost significance, because the web has also shown its flaws. The Internet is very malleable; things come and go before you can even refresh the page. This results in valuable documents, pictures or videos being lost forever. Although an approach to a web based future has its negative aspects, I am sure those problems will be addressed so that technology will have a brighter future.

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/google-chrome-os-ditch-your-hard-drives-the-future-is-the-web/