June 30, 2007 at 2:44 p.m.GoogleOS what to expect?
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There is no product like GoogleOS, but nonetheless it is one of the most talked about web products. People cannot stop discussing this and even imagine screenshots of it! It seems everyone expects Google to directly compete with Microsoft in the release of operating systems. However, Google refuses this and even sometimes laughs at all this noise. Nevertheless, we decided to analyze in what Google could lead with their strategy and from this to determine what is the probability of the release of GoogleOS.
We see 3 scenarios for the development of GoogleOS:
We will try to consider each of them separately, and then at the end we will make our “prediction”. By the way, we think that maybe less than six months are left before the release of the operating system.
If you ask, “What will GoogleOS look like?”, Most people will say that it will be an AJAX-based copy of Windows desktop. In other words, webOS (aka Webtop). Let us remind you what WebOS is, it is basically a virtual desktop on the network and it has a number of built-in applications. Google already has a history of releasing web products that mimic desktop applications: Gmail was the first “desktop” client, similar to a mail agent, now they also have Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Google Calendar and other desktop-like products. GWT - Google widget set? which allows Google web applications to bypass desktop incompatibilities.
On the other hand, a group of startups such as YouOS, Goowy, DesktopTwo, Xin, and eyeOS have already taken up this problem and have already advanced quite a bit. So if Google engineers are not working on this option, then they better not start. The AJAX-based YouOS with Paul Graham's investment makes it seem like the most obvious choice for now.
YouOS screenshot
Another opportunity for Google is to create their own personal Linux distributor. A free Linux license allows everyone to create their own distributive. Linux is also a market leader in server operating systems, but as a desktop, it is still far behind Windows and MacOS. Some people believe that the latest growth trend in Linux can make a difference.
This scenario is most traditional in replacing Windows with another OS instead of creating a webtop. In fact, it has already been beaten by Ubuntu. There were rumors about his purchase by Google.
If this option is implemented by Google, they can open their operating system as freely downloadable and advertise it on their main page. they can also make the network file system basic in place of the existing UNIX file hierarchy - another reason Linux lags behind the desktop OS market leaders.
This option is also possible. for example, an OS that simply boots from a computer connected to the Internet and then opens Firefox. Next up is the rest of the diligence and Google sites. This is a more logical strategy. Because then Google can create a page connecting all their services to the application. And people will get freedom of choice: use a service or application.
Similar concepts are already available. For example, Puppy and Damn Small - Linux distributors are "two" credit cards in size. The advantage is that you can carry them with you on any media without installing them on the HDD.
ByzantineOS, a dead project, did just that. His only goal was to boot up and launch the Mozilla-based window manager, but then you could not close the browser window
ByzantineOS screenshot
Be that as it may, Google could take a more radical step: replacing the standard BIOS with its own BIOS.
We believe that everything will become clearer over the next 6 months. Mirosoft will crush Google with its Vista OS, which has become more popular than any version of Windows at the time of release.
In this case, Google user statistics may be underestimated, because we think that Google will take a more acute step: promoting Firefox and some other companies for GoogleOS. Yahoo! has already responded to Microsoft's threats about excesses related to IE7 individual settings for their users. But we believe that Google will be more aggressive and competitive and will promote their own OS. GoogleOS can become reality in 6 months!
Opportunities
We see 3 scenarios for the development of GoogleOS:
- WebDesktop (Webtop)
- Its full Linux distribution
- Lightweight Linux and / or BIOS
We will try to consider each of them separately, and then at the end we will make our “prediction”. By the way, we think that maybe less than six months are left before the release of the operating system.
Webtop
If you ask, “What will GoogleOS look like?”, Most people will say that it will be an AJAX-based copy of Windows desktop. In other words, webOS (aka Webtop). Let us remind you what WebOS is, it is basically a virtual desktop on the network and it has a number of built-in applications. Google already has a history of releasing web products that mimic desktop applications: Gmail was the first “desktop” client, similar to a mail agent, now they also have Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Google Calendar and other desktop-like products. GWT - Google widget set? which allows Google web applications to bypass desktop incompatibilities.
On the other hand, a group of startups such as YouOS, Goowy, DesktopTwo, Xin, and eyeOS have already taken up this problem and have already advanced quite a bit. So if Google engineers are not working on this option, then they better not start. The AJAX-based YouOS with Paul Graham's investment makes it seem like the most obvious choice for now.
YouOS screenshot
Full Linus Distribution
Another opportunity for Google is to create their own personal Linux distributor. A free Linux license allows everyone to create their own distributive. Linux is also a market leader in server operating systems, but as a desktop, it is still far behind Windows and MacOS. Some people believe that the latest growth trend in Linux can make a difference.
This scenario is most traditional in replacing Windows with another OS instead of creating a webtop. In fact, it has already been beaten by Ubuntu. There were rumors about his purchase by Google.
If this option is implemented by Google, they can open their operating system as freely downloadable and advertise it on their main page. they can also make the network file system basic in place of the existing UNIX file hierarchy - another reason Linux lags behind the desktop OS market leaders.
Lightweight Linux and / or BIOS
This option is also possible. for example, an OS that simply boots from a computer connected to the Internet and then opens Firefox. Next up is the rest of the diligence and Google sites. This is a more logical strategy. Because then Google can create a page connecting all their services to the application. And people will get freedom of choice: use a service or application.
Similar concepts are already available. For example, Puppy and Damn Small - Linux distributors are "two" credit cards in size. The advantage is that you can carry them with you on any media without installing them on the HDD.
ByzantineOS, a dead project, did just that. His only goal was to boot up and launch the Mozilla-based window manager, but then you could not close the browser window
ByzantineOS screenshot
Be that as it may, Google could take a more radical step: replacing the standard BIOS with its own BIOS.
We believe that everything will become clearer over the next 6 months. Mirosoft will crush Google with its Vista OS, which has become more popular than any version of Windows at the time of release.
In this case, Google user statistics may be underestimated, because we think that Google will take a more acute step: promoting Firefox and some other companies for GoogleOS. Yahoo! has already responded to Microsoft's threats about excesses related to IE7 individual settings for their users. But we believe that Google will be more aggressive and competitive and will promote their own OS. GoogleOS can become reality in 6 months!