A Google PC
There have been rumors for a while that Google, at some point in the near future, was going to release a Google operating system that would challenge Microsoft's Windows. Google has repeatedly denied such rumors but frankly it makes too much sense not to happen. Google already is releasing desktop programs almost weekly that challenge Microsoft, the Google Desktop search is far better then the default search available on Windows. Further Google seems to enjoy challenging Microsoft (i.e, gmail vs hotmail) and even better for Google; they offer better products when similar programs are matched up head to head.
Anyway Paul Boutin writing in Slate about what the Google PC would be like describes some pretty cool features. The Google PC or operating system, would be web-based. You'd access it through your web browser and there would be all your files, your word processer, etc. You'd have almost unlimited memory space, the whole thing would be faster and, the best part, you could access it through any computer with an internet connection. You could go anywhere in the world and yet have all your files and programs with you, without the hassle of carrying around files or a laptop.
Boutin talks about three things that would work against a Google web-based OS. One is that people have a need to own things, programs, computers, files, the like. I think this would pretty easily be overcome. The second is that a web-based OS would need reliable internet connection, something that even in heavily populated areas is not always possible, not to mention rural areas. The third issue would be trust. Like gmail Google would have a huge database with basically all your info in it; you'd have to trust Google to stick to their "no evil" philosophy.
For my money the second issue Boutin points out, the internet connection problem, is the biggest obstacle facing such a system. My internet goes in and out all the time, causing no end of frustration. When it goes out though I'm still able to use Word, look at and edit photos and play music. If I had everything stored on a web-based OS, or used it to run programs, and my internet was out so I couldn't use it, I'd be pretty pissed. I think at the least people would be backing everything up on their own hard drives to ensure that lack of connection wouldn't put them out of commission.
I hope Google does launch their own OS. I'm already a big fan/user of gmail, desktop search, picasa, google earth, and google adsense. All of their products seem to be better and more usable then Microsofts; maybe the same will apply to a new OS. It would be pretty nice to be able to access it anywhere in the world.
in my opinion it would be more likely to see a merger take place between apple and google rather than google coming out with its own operating system..if that happens…watch microsoft offer a bid to acquire yahoo
god i hate being correct all the time it’s so draining.. http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.asp?Feed=AP&Date=20060829&ID=5980364