Google Releases More Information About Chrome OS

Google (GOOG) is starting to respond to questions about the just announced Chrome operating system. In a short FAQ Wednesday they talked about cost and initial partners.

First of all, the software will be free, which was an easy assumption to make since it will be open source. Like Android, Google will not charge users or device manufacturers to use the Chrome OS.

Tuesday Google said they were already working with device manufacturers to roll out Chrome OS devices late next year. Today they announced at least some of those partners: Acer, Adobe (ADBE), ASUS, Freescale (FSL), Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), Lenovo, Qualcomm (QCOM), Texas Instruments (TXN).

Acer and ASUS are the no. 1 and no. 2 netbook manufacturers worldwide. HP and Lenovo are also large netbook manufacturers. Freescale, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments are chip companies that Google is likely working with to ensure a good user experience. What I’d really like to know is if Google is working with these or any other partners to release products off the ARM or Atom processors. A desktop or even dual core laptop running Chrome OS would be a compelling device too.

Google is clearly aiming Chrome at Windows, and focusing less on battery management (Android’s strength) to focus on robust driver support. Users will not be happy unless they can plug any printer, camera, or other peripheral device into these computers and have them work properly.

The other focus is on speed, which is why Google is working so closely with the chip guys. This isn’t going to just be Linux with a browser bolted on. It will be (or should be) a compelling user experience with super fast boot and web surfing times.

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Comments

[modelportfo...:]

Michael, I note that Dell has not been included in the partial list of partners at this stage.

I can understand the interest from TXN, QCOM, MRVL, BRCM, etc who are ARM-based competitors to Intel and its x86 architecture.

Do you think Dell is a laggard here due to pressure from Microsoft or perhaps the reality that previous Linux challenges to Windows in netbooks have failed due to lack of productivity sofware that is what consumers use by and large (esp Office-based solutions running on ARM based platforms and their lower level of functionality). Do you believe Dell is waiting to see how successful Google is in getting Chrome OS adopted and in improving its suite of productivity apps?

I understand Google's motivation in launching OS. Two main ones IMO are: 1. more users on PCs and more users on internet means more searches and hence more rev for Google. 2. Concern that Microsoft will attempt to leverage its dominance in OS and browsers to push Bing.

Do you expect developers to support Chrome OS? App compatibility and driver support (for peripheral devices) remain questions, as you suggest. Microsoft competitive response (have you written about Microsoft's Gazelle browser work?) should be interesting, but to extent Chrome OS is successful, Microsoft revs/margins should be impacted negatively.

Comments?

Jul 09 07:00 AM

[Ellito:]

Mr. Arrington;
Hope you will look into COYN.OB and see what you think.
This high tech co seems shaking the country right now.
But too bad nobody wants to talk about it.
Media bias ?

Jul 12 04:50 AM

[SEO Promoti...:]

Google keeps a close watch on user behavior. Chrome can send several information back to Google such as which website is more popular? Which website has maximum users etc etc. Its more like a double edged sword.

However, Firefox is the King of Browsers and nobody can beat it.

Jul 29 09:38 AM