While Microsoft’s shares fell to $22.22 last Wednesday, Google’s ones rose up to $ 401.36. There is no doubt that it was a direct consequence of the announcement made on Tuesday by Google: the launch of a new FREE Chrome Operating System (initially targeted for Netbooks) in the second half of 2010, which of course it will be battling directly on Microsoft strongest grounds: Windows Operating System. Apparently, Desktops will come later. What is Chrome OS? Which are its benefits?  How will this affect Microsoft? Let’s see!
The objective of Google is to make a very light-weighted and quick starting operating system that will support Google’s Chrome Browser. Now, you are probably wondering why they are releasing such a system if your notebook already has access to Google applications. Well, Chrome 0S will have lots of benefits to offer:
1) Cost and Speed: Firstly, as most Google products, Chrome OS will be for FREE. Secondly, and most importantly, it is specially designed for notebooks and low-powered processors. So, speed is guaranteed as the system focuses on this type of devices.
2) Compatibility and Portability. You won’t have to spend many hours configuring your device to be able to use Chrome OS. You will be able to instantly download and incorporate it into your computer without any problems. Moreover, Chrome will build and have offline access to all your Google services via Google Gears. In this way, you will always be informed and updated with the latest information.
Will Google finally win the battle against Microsoft? Chrome OS represents a huge advance, a big step towards conquering the up to now untouchable Microsoft land: its operating system. Their main argument is the fact that as most of Google’s services, Chrome OS will be for free. They believe that customers do not have to pay expensive for programs. In this sense, they will probably win lots of new customers. But, what’s next? If Chrome OS is a success and they are planning to move to Desktops will customers abandon their Windows habits? For Chrome to be successful, Google will have to create a counterpart of Office. It will be very hard for them to change years and years of “traditionâ€. But, the truth is that Microsoft didn’t have a great success either with Windows Vista or Windows 7. It seems that Google is slowly advancing and gaining territory on new grounds.
We will have to wait to see which of the giants will win. For the moment, we can say that last Tuesday’s announcement represents a big step for the “free revolution†on the operating system field. And this revolution my friends, extremely stresses and disturbs Microsoft, doesn’t it!?
Sources:
Google Announces PC Operating System to Compete with Windows
Google takes on Microsoft with operating system
Five Things Google’s Chrome OS Will Do for Your Notebook
The battle ahead: Google Chrome OS vs. Microsoft ‘Windows 8′
