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09 Jul 2009
Google's plans to develop a Chrome-based operating system will not pose any immediate threat to Microsoft, according to industry analyst Charles King.
The founder and principal analyst at Pund-IT said in a report that, although Chrome OS is aiming to compete with Windows 7 in the netbook category, Microsoft should enjoy an advantage in the near term.
Google introduced Chrome OS on Wednesday, estimating that the first products to use the operating system would hit the market in late 2010. But King noted that Microsoft will have had plenty of time to establish its own offering by that time.
"Underestimating Google is a mistake by nearly any measure, but we would suggest that expecting to compete effectively against Microsoft in markets where it has enjoyed a 12-plus month headstart is also foolish in the extreme," said the analyst.
"Depending on how or whether Chrome OS catches fire, Microsoft has the wherewithal to price the netbook version of Windows 7 and its associated applications very aggressively."
When Google does reach the market with Chrome OS, King said that the key to the operating system's success will not be how well it stacks up against Windows 7, but how well Google can work with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
If the company can get hardware vendors onboard, King suggests that Chrome OS has the potential to disrupt the entire computing industry.
But the analyst warned that Google has plenty of challenges to overcome before it can make a mark in the operating system market.
"Google deserves polite applause for Chrome OS, and we look forward to what OEMs and other potential partners might do with it," said King.
"But during the year or so before Google netbooks become commercially available, the most important question to consider is whether Google can really offer anything to users that Microsoft, Apple and others cannot."
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Do you agree?
disagree
I have to disagree with the "experts" on this. By giving Windows 7 time to bed in before release, Google will be supplying something new, and they will have had the time to study the existing OS for useful ideas to incorporate. then when they release their product, it will be as Windows 7 will be starting to pale a little thus focusing attention on this New OS. No, I think this is probably the best marketing stategy for a new OS rather than taking on a monopoly when they are riding the crest with their new release.
Posted by: BigT 14 Jul 2009
Long overdue.
About time as well!Microsoft have had it too easy,too long.About time they had a serious rival.People go on about Apple computers not having the market PCs using windows do.Thus,they suggest,if Apple cant kick Microsofts ass,nobody can.Well I dont want to go into the Apple vs PC argument-im a PC user,have only used a Mac occasionally,but think both OS are good.But Apples are idiosyncratic-you cant really build a new Mac from scratch.Its Apples way or nothing.And pretty much their software only too.Thus a rather restricted market.Linux is a good OS,but doesnt have big-name marketing muscle or big bucks behind it.The PC market thus needed a big money rival to Windows-Google is that rival.They are unpredictable and think outside the box-Microsoft is a slow moving,predictable corporate monster.If Google do this right(no user account control please guys!),get OEMs on board,and include a few killer apps in their OS,it could be a real winner.Their search engine and browser pee on their Microsoft equivalents-so lets hope the Chrome OS does the same.Shame about the release date though.When you think about it though,a rival OS to try and dethrone Windows-is that not what Apple should have done years ago?
Posted by: Gordon 10 Jul 2009
Not sold
I remain to be conviced by either offering in this segement of the market and point to the G1 phone and Windows Mobile as indicators. Neither are functionally as adept as the iPhone (even on what should be Microsofts 'home turf', exchange integration). I don't think we've even come close to the killer app for netbooks and ultramobile yet - when it comes, it may well not be from either of these leviathans.
Posted by: Carl 09 Jul 2009
Microsoft get ready to face competition
I appreciate the fact that the guys at redmond are p***ing in their pants right now, because of Google Chrome OS. Because even though in the short run Chrome OS is not a threat to Microsoft, in the long run the Google Brand, and the fact that Google will make a quality product which people will like, are going to really make Steve Balmer p**s in his pants.
Posted by: Tim 09 Jul 2009