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ChromeOS

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This article is about the computer operating system. For the Google web browser, see Google Chrome.
Chrome OS
Chrome OS screenshot
19 November 2009 screenshot of Chrome OS
DeveloperGoogle Inc.
OS familyUnix-like
Working stateDeveloper source code released
Latest release127.0.6533.132 (August 20, 2024; 4 days ago (2024-08-20)[1]) [±]
Latest preview
Beta

128.0.6613.75 (August 22, 2024; 2 days ago (2024-08-22)[2]) [±]

Dev
129.0.6668.0 (August 21, 2024; 3 days ago (2024-08-21)[3]) [±]
Platformsx86, ARM
Kernel typeMonolithic (Linux)
Default
user interface		Graphical (Web-based)
LicenseOpen source
Official websitewww.google.com/chromebook/chrome-os/

Chrome OS is a lightweight, open source computer operating system created by Google Inc. devoted to using the World Wide Web.[4] Announced on July 7, 2009, Chrome OS is set to have a publicly available stable release during the second half of 2010.[5] The Linux-based operating system will sport a graphical user interface based on Google's Chrome web browser and will run on systems with either x86 or ARM processors.[6] Chrome OS is designed for netbooks and is thus separate from the Android operating system, which was designed primarily for use on smartphones, with support for conventional applications running on the device.[7] The Chrome OS user interface will take a minimalist approach, much like the company's Chrome web browser, and will rely solely on cloud computing, with all applications residing on remote servers, rather than on the device itself. Hence Chrome OS is aimed at users who spend most of their computer time on the Internet.[6][8][9]

At a November 19, 2009 news conference, Sundar Pichai, the Google vice president overseeing Chrome, demonstrated an early version of the operating system, which included a desktop that closely resembled the Chrome browser, but with tabs for frequently used Web-based applications. The netbook running the operating system booted up in seven seconds, a time Google is working to improve. Pichai said that Google is not designing Chrome OS, at least initially, to run on a user's primary computer.[10] Indeed, the operating system is intended to be run only on solid state drives, which provide faster boot-up times, rather than on hard disk drives, which offer larger storage capacity but comparatively lower performance. Lower capacity solid state drives can better accommodate Chrome OS because the operating system on a disk is 60 times smaller than Windows 7.[11] Google also released a Chrome OS open source project, Chromium OS.[12]

User interface

Design goals for Chrome OS's user interface include using minimal screen space by combining applications and standard Web pages into a single tab strip, rather than separating the two. Designers are considering a reduced window management scheme that would operate only in full-screen mode. Secondary tasks would be handled with "panels": floating windows that dock to the bottom of the screen for tasks like chat and music players. Split screens are also under consideration for viewing two pieces of content side-by-side. Chrome OS will follow the Chrome browser's practice of leveraging HTML 5's offline modes, background processing, and notifications. Designers propose using search and pinned tabs as a way to quickly locate and access applications.[13]

Architecture

Google announced that Chrome OS will feature a novel security architecture. According to Google's announcement, the company will be "going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates". [14]

Instead of traditional native applications used in traditional desktop operating systems, Chrome OS runs web applications and user data will be stored automatically in web in so called cloud of internet servers. A drawback pointed out for the OS is its limited offline capability. Nevertheless, the desktop capabilities is determined by far and large by the creation of software that harnesses the threading, multitasking, multiprogramming features of the underlying hardware.[citation needed]

Partner companies

Companies developing hardware for Chrome OS include Hewlett-Packard, Acer, Adobe, Asus, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, Freescale[15] and Intel.[16]

Market implications

When Google announced the Chrome browser in September 2008 it was viewed[17] as a continuation of the battle between Google and Microsoft ("the two giants of the digital revolution").[18] As of 2009, Microsoft dominates the usage share of desktop operating systems[18] and the software market in word processing and spreadsheet applications. The operating system dominance may be challenged directly by Chrome OS, and the application dominance indirectly through a shift to cloud computing.[18]. According to an analysis by PC World,[19] Chrome OS represents the next step in this battle.

See also

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References

  1. ^ "ChromeOS M-127 Stable Release Update". August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  2. ^ "Beta Channel Release for ChromeOS / ChromeOS Flex". August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  3. ^ "Dev Channel Release for ChromeOS / ChromeOS Flex". August 21, 2024. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Mediati, Nick (2009-07-07). "Google Announces Chrome OS". PC World. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  5. ^ Ahmed, Murad (2009-07-08), Google takes on Microsoft with Chrome operating system, Times Online, retrieved 2009-07-08
  6. ^ a b Womack, Brian (2009-07-08). "Google to Challenge Microsoft With Operating System". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  7. ^ Helft, Miguel; Vance, Ashlee (2009-07-08). "Google Plans a PC Operating System". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  8. ^ Hansell, Saul (2009-07-08). "Would you miss Windows with a Google operating system?". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-07-08.
  9. ^ Pichai, Sundar (2009-07-07). "Introducing the Google Chrome OS". Official Google Blog. Google, Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-16.
  10. ^ Helft, Miguel (November 19, 2009). "Google Offers Peek at Operating System, a Potential Challenge to Windows". New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2009.
  11. ^ Mearian, Lucas (November 19, 2009). "Google Chrome OS will not support hard-disk drives". Computerworld. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  12. ^ Sengupta, Caesar (2009-11-19). "Releasing the Chromium OS open source project". Official Google Blog. Google, Inc. Retrieved 2009-11-19.
  13. ^ "The Chromium Projects: User Experience". Google. Retrieved 21 November 2009.
  14. ^ Infosecurity magazine (2009-07-22). "Google promises 'the end of viruses' with Chrome operating system?".
  15. ^ Pichai, Sundar (2009-07-08). "Chrome OS FAQ". Official Google Blog. Google, Inc. Retrieved 2009-07-21.
  16. ^ Myslewski, Rik (2009-07-10). "Intel Cozying up to Google Chrome OS". The RegisterOSnews. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  17. ^ Rotem-Gal-Oz, Arnon. "Google Chrome -The browser is the new Desktop". Retrieved November 20 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  18. ^ a b c Keegan, Victor (10 July 2009). The Guardian Can Chrome steal Microsoft's shine? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jul/10/google-chrome-microsoft Can Chrome steal Microsoft's shine?. Retrieved July 11, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. ^ Bertolucci, Jeff (July 10, 2009). "Google, Microsoft Invade Enemy Territory: Who Wins?". PC World. Retrieved July 11, 2009.
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