Google To Redefine What It Means To Be An OS

“We are completely going to be developing this in the open from now on,” said Pichai, who spoke at a Webcast news conference Wednesday at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, Calif.

So after all the talk, all the speculation and doubt the Google Chrome OS is finally here. Well, at least the first public preview is here. The Web based OS will not be available until next year. When released, it will be free but only available on  solid-state netbooks, that Google has certified.

Google explains that the code is open-sourced and anyone can test and customize it. Google is not only redefining what it means to be an operating system but they are also redefining the user experience. The average computer user spends most of their time on the Internet; whether it’s “surfing the Internet,” or accessing online software and services. The OS is designed only for the Internet. Google intimately understands that SaaS is a growing space and by opening the code to the public it lends itself to the development of solid third party applications.

Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management explains that the Chrome OS is not meant to replace a traditional computer and operating system. The OS is meant for a secondary PC. Google understands that there are power users which will require the processing power of a traditional computer and operating system.

Google is a company that is not scared of taking on herculean projects. They have a strong portfolio of application successes and the Chrome OS sounds like it will another success for the search giant.