My first experience running Google Chrome OS
I came across a tweet that talked about running the new Google Chrome OS in a virtual machine. Since I was intrigued and excited from the video demos yesterday I decided to install it and give it a try. After a few hiccups I had it up and running. I followed this guide to get it running. To install is you can go here to get the downloads you will need.
A few first observations and then the screenshots are below.
- The OS does indeed load in less than 7 seconds.
- You login to it with an @gmail.com user name and password.
- Once it loads you are pretty much in/using the Chrome web browser.
- If you turn it off and then turn it back on you come back to the exact same "spot" you were when you shut it down.
- Because of the fast startup time it reminds me of using my iPhone.
- It appears you can do with/on Chrome OS pretty much anything you can do through the Chrome web browser on a PC.
Google Chrome OS Unveiled and Why This is Good News
In a press conference today Google released what they are calling the new Google Chrome OS (Operating System). Basically everything, all program you might want to run, all live within the Chrome web browser. This is good and bad. Google says this is good because you don't have to worry about all those annoying software updates you have to do with Windows and Mac OS. I say it is bad or different because although there are some awesome websites on the web, it still does not 100% compare to my desktop experience.
A few cool things about Chrome OS:
- It is supposed to take 7 seconds or less to load it up (from power button to typing in your login info).
- Simple Look and Feel - with tabs along top and everything done in a web browser format.
- No updating software, since it all runs from the Internet (and updates automatically).
- Ease of use (in theory) - there are these new things called "in place panels" that let you use things like instant message clients easily from small popup windows on the bottom of your screen.
My Take
A recurring theme you will hear from me is competition is always good - and this is the same in this case. Google coming out with an OS only drives Microsoft and Apple to improve their own OS's. If there was no competition there would be little motivation for Microsoft to fix problems and innovate (other than trying to minimize the myriad of complaints and nullify those now annoying PC vs. Mac commercials).
Another reason this is good is that variety of choice is a good thing. Your work desktop may work best with Windows, but your notebook computer for on the road use may work better on Chrome OS. I know that some people like having a Windows PC, Windows CE on their phone, Windows Media Computer, and XBox - and there is something to be said for continuity. However, I enjoy having a Windows PC at work, my Apple iPhone, AppleTV, etc. I believe in continuity in groups when it works well, like iPods for music, iTunes, and AppleTV all working together. I think you get my point.
Read Google's Official Blog with the announcement and what Mashable, TechCrunch, and Electronista had to say about it.
Chrome OS Videos
Here are some good videos about the new Chrome OS, starting with the most basic and easy to understand and progressing to the more technical.
Google to Release Chrome OS Next Week (rumor)
There is a reported rumor going around that Google is going to release for download its Chrome OS next week. But wait, word is that the drivers have not been written for it, so getting it to work on your DELL or HP PC will be next to impossible since the keyboard, mouse and monitor will not work.
Drivers or no drivers, it is exciting. I really like the way Google drives innovation through competition. The result has been some awesome new technology (think Google Maps and MSN Maps).
See what PCWorld and TechCrunch had to say about it.