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Google Launches Web-Based OS, Takes Aim at Windows

Fast-booting Chrome may push Vista out of the market

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 8, 2009 6:46 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Google has doubled down in its battle with Microsoft. The search giant announced it is bringing out an open-source operating system, named Google Chrome OS, that looks to go head-to-head with long-dominant Windows. Chrome OS is Google's biggest push yet onto traditional Microsoft turf, reports the Financial Times, following free web-based applications, mobile phone platforms, and email.

According to Nick Mediati of PC World, Chrome OS is an outgrowth of Google's lightweight web browser and is designed to boot in "a few seconds," far faster than Microsoft's snail-paced Vista. Third-party apps for Chrome OS will also work on Windows, Mac, and Linux machines, since the Google system is essentially a web-based platform. The new system won't launch until next year, but Mediati wonders if Google hasn't "just killed the operating system war."

Google co-founders Sergey Brin, left, and Larry Page, right, talking about the new Google Browser, Chrome, during a news conference in Mountain View, Calif.
Google co-founders Sergey Brin, left, and Larry Page, right, talking about the new Google Browser, Chrome, during a news conference in Mountain View, Calif.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
Google Chrome is being expanded from a web browser to a full-fledged operating system.
Google Chrome is being expanded from a web browser to a full-fledged operating system.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, file)
Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, is seen during the Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, June 26, 2009.
Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google, is seen during the Advertising Festival in Cannes, southern France, Friday, June 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Ydeveloper
Jul 23, 2010 12:30 PM CDT
It's only one that can beat Microsoft and it is Google. I am sure that if Google will launch the OS then it will be popular...like http://www.ydeveloper.com/yaho...
2-bits
Jul 8, 2009 12:12 PM CDT
I think this won't be as successful as they hope. I for one wouldn't do it; if the network goes down, I not only lose my ability to check my email, but also my ability to write that report? Bullshit. And what about vidjeo games? This boots in a few seconds claim is pretty dubious too. Of course its going to boot quickly if all you're doing is launching a VM for a client. That's would be an impressive claim if the final product were intended to be as feature rich as Windows or Linux or something, but I doubt it is. (Yes, I intentionally spelled "video" vidjeo.)
Fondue
Jul 8, 2009 1:55 AM CDT
For pronunciation purposes of course.

 
technology • Google • Microsoft • computer programming • Windows • Microsoft Vista • operating system • computer • Google Chrome • Google Chrome OS

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