Google Chrome… An Operating System, Not Just a Browser
By Anna Johnson on September 3rd, 2008Microsoft could be forgiven for being a little worried. Google Chrome is not just a web browser to take on Internet Explorer; it’s also the first iteration of an operating system to take on Windows/Vista. Or, as Google co-founder Sergey Brin has clearly indicated, it may actually displace the operating system altogether…
“I think operating systems are kind of an old way to think of the world,” Mr Brin said after the news conference at Google’s Mountain View, California headquarters, “They have become kind of bulky, they have to do lots and lots of different (legacy) things.”
Google’s view is that any task done in a standalone desktop computer application can be delivered via the web, ideally via Chrome.
Okay, so Microsoft may be worried. But what about us? Should we also be a little worried?Googleis fast becoming omni-presentand omnipotent.
I can’t really complain because it’s delivering real value. Actually, a lot of the stuff I love (e.g. Google Analytics, Google Earth, etc) is totally free. But I’m a big believer that, ultimately, healthy competition brings about the most innovation and the very best quality and value for consumers. Google has set – and continues to set – the bar high. Let’s hope it stays that way… and that some legitimate contenders do eventually emerge.
As for Google Chrome itself… it’s pretty cool. Quick and easy to install… nice, minimalist interface… copied my Firefox bookmarks within seconds… keeps track of my most visited websites… and browsing is FAST. I like it a lot.
==> Click here to download Google Chrome
Source: Reuters, “Google sees new browser displacing desktop software”, Yahoo Finance, September 2, 2008
