LA Times predicts a Google PC in 2006?

The LA Times has a roundup of tech predictions for '06 and they start their list off with a real doozy: Google has cheap PC in the works that features a Google OS and will debut via Wal-Mart and other retailers. Not the first time we've heard rumors that Google is getting ready to make some moves in this direction, but the LA Times seems fairly confident about things this time around, saying that that they've spoken with several industry and analyst sources who claim the boxen would drop for as low as a couple hundred dollars. Not that there aren't plenty of peeps out there who are chomping at the bit for Google to throwdown big time against Microsoft, but until we're blogging from our brand new Google PC we're going to have to treat this report as total speculation. Discuss.

[Jason @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:29AM]

Just What We Need another Crapy PC with another Crapy Operating system.

[Jacob Varghese @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:33AM]

This is possibly the worst thing for Google to get into. They don't need to get into the operating system business. This would take away resources and money from their core business.

[Mike @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:33AM]

I have speculated that they'd do this at some point.



Given Google's market share, mind share, and affinity (not to mention expertise) with Linux, it makes perfect sense that they'd create a customized Linux distribution.



However, the big question in all of this is: How on earth would this help their bottom line?



PC margins are razor thin and Google would have to support their OS to some degree. If they were to make a serious push, I think they'd have to customize the entire user experience, possibly creating an entirely new desktop interface.



The biggest knocks against Linux On The Desktop is that the UI is less refined than Windows and OS X and, most importantly, applications are not as easy to install due to the myriad of builds and kernels out there.



While a guy like me has no problem compiling an app and editing conf files, this is well beyond the ability of the averate user. Remember that these are the same folks that can barely handle installing apps in Windows and OS X.



Google would probably have to come up with something akin to Linspire's Click-N-Run.

[Deets @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:35AM]

Well they have honestly made enough money for it. Also, they are branching into everything else. If it comes from Google tho, you can usually expect it to be cool. They rock!

[Michaelarchangelo @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:39AM]

At least now we can choose between the two crappy computers and their OS.

[Jason Brennan @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:39AM]

Well, it wouldn't surprise me, and I can't say that it wouldn't be interesting..I mean, I think Google could make a really excellent OS, Searching obviously would be a huge part.



But what they might do is tie it in with Gmail and/or AdSense. That's where things would really heat up

[Jason Brewer @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:44AM]

A friend and I were just talking about the new release of ReactOS this morning.. We were discussing the impact the next release could have on business networking in lieu of Microsoft's offerings.



I never expected Google to step into that discussion, but there's the headline.

[Michael @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:44AM]

What is the point? We have Linux and you still can't run all the cool stuff on it required for work, and you can forget about games and the graphics chips being anything to brag about. Sounds like it will be the "Wonder bread" of computers, cheap, and it tastes like it too. Come on, you can't get something for nothing.

[Tim Brown @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:51AM]

Who wants a system that allows Google to �remember for increased search speed� all your files and their associated content. Let alone driver and allocation issues. No thanks.

[vazel @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:54AM]

please god let this be true.

[Matt McClendon @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:55AM]

Several years ago when I worked for Netscape, ala AOL, we were trying to do the same for AOL. It was frightening to say the least to think that AOL client nearly became AOL OS.



I'm not surprised to see Google moving in this direction.

[Kyle K. @ Jan 3rd 2006 11:55AM]

I'm not sure where I stand as to if Google should move into the OS scene, but I know if they did, they would be very innovative with it.

[jg @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:09PM]

lol another computer os that will be destroyed by msft, why would they even bother. stick to search engines.

[ishtar @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:11PM]

I did RTFA, and it is so lose and speculative that it barley should be called news. Or as a user on slashdot said: "This is a piece of speculation that's inside a piece of gossip that's inside a bloody "Predictions for 2006" article."



That really sums it up for me! :)



However, I find it interesting and it would be nice to see som more competition on the OS market. Who know, years from now OSs may be no more like webbrowsers, all basicly using the same standards for program, like HTML-ish. Aaaa, the compatibility!

[pidgin @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:11PM]

#10 & #11 - I think you are closer to what would be an ideal situation for Google, given the marginal benefits of creating a hardware line, by (ideally) just streamlining a linux-based OS based on their innovative, pared down, efficient design - bringing together all of Google's products into one Googlecentric environment. This is utopia (and with all utopias, surely there is a horrible secret that could destroy us all - was it FORTUNE that ran an article on how Google was becoming the new Microsoft through their anti-microsoft stance?).

[interested @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:17PM]

I think its not a question of what will this do for Google's bottom line, but what will happen if Google does NOT do this?



With Vista/IE7 on the horizon, MSFT has set its sights on ad revenue that they have totally blown to GOOG and YHOO.



This is somewhat of an offensive maneuver to mitigate the effects of MSFT swallowing searches and ad revenue via new OS - replacing it with Google OS and Google based searches.



Of course, I'm sure that the EULA will state that Google will be able to peek at your browsing habits while using said computer as well.

[Norbert @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:18PM]

Google PC, a google junkies' wet dream

[jim @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:25PM]

Google is one of the sponsors of the One Laptop Per Child project. Nicholas Negroponte has said a commercial version might be released that would retail for about $200. OLPC runs a slimmed-down version of Linux. That's probably where these rumours come from.

[WDW @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:25PM]

I would suspect that if they were going to do something like this, it would be limited to running application on the web and be advertiser supported.

[Chris @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:28PM]

Just like what Apple did with Unix, why can't google make nice skins, fonts and UI for Linux?

Nice looking OS w/ easy UI is what most user wants.

If google can achieve those, I think it can be real threat to MS.

[travis @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:29PM]

First off, Im pretty sure google has plenty of money to throw into this...even if it was a horrible failure would it hurt them at all? VERY doubtful...



what have they got to lose other then a little bit of money? Nothing, and if they can gain some market share in the OS area, then more power to them...if they can create a superior product, I say let them and we will all sit back and reap the benefits... Honestly I wouldnt even bet on it being so much of a local OS as some type of web interface for the pc...you just connect to the internet and voila..you go to your google desktop page, look at your files...check your rss feeds...a nice streamlined experience

[Dissent @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:42PM]

Makes sense. Think about all the AJAX applications out now, too - all you'd need is a shitbox PC with a browser to access a lot of your basic programs.



And as someone else said, Google is already working in this area with their "One Laptop Per Child" thing.



The thing most of us are probably wondering, though, is how will the market take this? Google's share price is high - and whether its justified or not, investors are already really scared. Visions of Yahoo and other ~1999 internet stocks are at the front of their minds. If this were a brick and mortar store, then the stock would have probably already gone 20% higher.



The question is: will Googles broadening of its horizons scare off its investors, who will dump their stock to lock in profits? Or will it put them at ease that Google is investing in more 'tangible' products?



That aside, think about who this sort of deal is positive for no matter what: hardware manufacturers. Is that OLPC running on Intel, AMD, or PowerPC chips? Whoever it is, expect their stock price to jump when the announcement comes.

[alijah @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:44PM]

http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?id=31942&category=main this article tells all about googles pc and where it will be unvieled (CES)and i thought you guys knew everything that was going on at CES

[Dissent @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:47PM]

Update:



So, a Google search tells me the OLPC's will be running AMD processors and Red Hat Linux.



Now would be the time to start watching AMD stock, my pretties.

[Scott Matheson @ Jan 3rd 2006 12:52PM]

Or they could be thin clienty-type things that just give users a virtual Google desktop on the big Google cluster in the sky.



Assuming it ain't all just speculation.

[ishtar @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:00PM]

#21



Hehe, that is just an excerpt from the article we are allready discusing, with a link to said article! ;)



The question mark in the headline is also a bit questionable! ^^

[One Lightbulb Per Child @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:02PM]

I don't know what's so great about Google, Froogle stinks, Orkut was boring, Yahoo is better than Gmail. They've got good search, and Google Maps is cool. I can't wait until reality sets in on their stock price some day.



Side note: "OLPC runs a slimmed-down version of Linux." OLPC doesn't run anything at all, except for third-world schools into the ground. It's a piece of plastic and a bunch of intentions and government deals portrayed as innovation. November's long past, and there is no prototype, but somehow Negroponte spending other people's money is still a humanitarian hero.

[Dave @ Jan 3rd 2006 1:51PM]

This is just some random guy writing for the LA times making stuff up. And yet, it has gotten huge coverage as 'truth' without any obvious base in reality.



Not that they won't or shouldn't but we are basing it on some guy's predictions for the year.

[justB @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:07PM]

Is it a PowerPC? - check this screenshot with Google:

http://www.genesippc.com/slideshow.php?name=power.org&slide=33

[Paul @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:10PM]

Instead of this being made to bolster Google's bottom line could it be an attack on Microsoft's?



By releasing a bargain basement PC it allows Google to divert less savy users away from microsoft's resources to theirs. Instead of these users that probably don't know how to set their own home page from being directed to Windows Live they are instead directed to Google and guided how to set up their own online account "to work directly with your brand new Google PC!"



The result is a whole new market to advertisers opens up and makes things very interesting in the online advertising marketplace.

[Liam @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:11PM]

Are you kidding? Google will never get into the PC market. Google's whole philosopy is based upon web services and internet servers. Becoming a manufacturer or a reseller is a waste of their time and money. How would they make money under such a proposition - ads that appear as the computer boots? This is just a pipe dream from someone who doesn't really understand the shift that is going on. Would Tivo suddenly decide to make a VCR? I don't think so.

[A @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:13PM]

What are the chances of a Microsoft/Google merger?!

[Ethan Feldman @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:18PM]

Re: #29



Slim to none?

[Ethan Feldman @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:19PM]

i meant Re: #30

[Phil @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:23PM]

#17: Sounds to me like the 'Network PC' Larry Ellison was harping a while back http://news.com.com/2100-1001-233137.html



Now, Google has enough mindshare to develop an OS and resell cheap boxes to the masses, but I doubt that they'd go in that direction since the margins are so small. That, and they'd have to compete with Dell (hardware) and Microsoft (software), which I don't think that Google is business savvy enough to compete with both Dell and Microsoft at the same time.

[MrFloppy @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:34PM]

i want it to be like the Nokia 770, not like a PC.

[TheWakeUpCall @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:39PM]

OMG this is so freaky. Only about a week ago I was discussing how Google could overthrow Microsoft if they made an OS, and here we are. I hope this happens, I might switch, depends how good the OS is.

[jeff @ Jan 3rd 2006 2:53PM]

i just had a dream last night that the Google Earth application on my computer was downloading "updates" to itself that were new features like a built in web-browser, an email client, an iPhoto wannabe thing, etc.



that's weird.



really, i dont care if google does whatever. their stuff is neat and i use it, but i have no interest whatsoever in leaving a solid OS like Apple's to go to some DHTML based thing. whatever. they'd seriously have to come up with something good for anyone in the world to care at all. we already have 1 huge crappy OS and 1 smaller amazingly good OS... where would google's compete? somewhere in the middle? what's the point?

[Mick D @ Jan 3rd 2006 3:44PM]

You're all missing the point. It's not about the OS. It's a thin client... the death of the OS as we know it. This is just the tip of an enormous iceberg.

[Chris R @ Jan 3rd 2006 4:09PM]

Lets assume this might be real just for the discussion... Do we really think this is for hard-core use?



A $200 box sounds to me like a specialized piece of hardware. Some specialized Google Linux distro that already has all the Google apps ready to go (a-la AOL) and lets you browse the web. Who says it has to be much more than that? It doesn't sound too amazing, but make it some kind of handheld wireless device and I start to get interested. Make it cheaper than $200 and I'm also interested.



I don't know that there's really any market for a crippled web surfing, emailing box that sits on my desk like a PC. There will have to be something great about it that none of us has mentioned yet to make it fly.



In the end, we can bet that either this device will have some amazing feature(s) that we can't live without, or it is nothing more than BS speculation. We all know that Google doesn't make bad decisions, regardless of how much you may or may not like the services they provide.



This has been yet another discussion of a Google OS and how ultrasweetsupercool it would be. Personally, I don't see the point.

[Greg @ Jan 3rd 2006 4:26PM]

How does the "do no evil company" reconcile selling its products through the "evil is ok" empire that is Walmart?

[tester99 @ Jan 3rd 2006 4:34PM]

Don't forget how Google makes money and why their stock is $250/share....advertising. Just what I want: a screenful of ads and hidden spyware tracking my every click. Sweet!

[David @ Jan 3rd 2006 5:17PM]

Bob Cringely had an article on this several weeks ago, but he was thinking of something other than a computer...http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20051124.html

[Jaime Jones @ Jan 3rd 2006 5:32PM]

OMG All you people are missing the point (as far as I can see it). Google makes money from search related advertising. In the long run it will expand these services (thru online classified advertising and others etc.) but to increase search advertising, Google needs to constantly find innovative and new ways of delivering these ads - and do so in an unobtrusive, clean, simple, and appealing manner (like the ads you see on the top of gmail - they are clean and relate to the content on your page and what you are interested in etc.)



Yahoo is a waste of time and space. They have no direction - they waiver between being a search index and a news forum and do neither really well. They pose no threat to Google - in fact if anything they are dependent on Google.



Microsoft on the other hand, let the ball drop with regard to anything relating to online services and advertising and are playing catch up. But they are the 800lb gorilla and do pose a threat to Google.



By entering the hardware and OS arena, Google takes the battle to Microsoft. But regardless of the irony in that, Google also gets a new opening for advertisement placement - new real estate to place ads is a good thing in a growing market already bigger than cable and network advertising.



But what I think is the beautiful thing is Google's ability to place ads that people actually WANT to click on (for the most part - there are always glitches in any system).



Google's share price increased today 20 USD (to 432 USD) but not because of the LA Times article, but rather because of the analysts announcement that Google will hit 600 USD in 2006.



Google also has another ace up their sleeve, they can split the stock and generate another run.



I love and hate Google. Hate them for not ranking my site higher, and love them for such great innovation.



Goooooooo Gooogle!

[Dave H @ Jan 3rd 2006 5:32PM]

Was that a very subtle reference to Brian Regan? (Boxen)

[kemp @ Jan 3rd 2006 6:15PM]

I'm not sure how so many of you are already counting on it as a solid thing. It's a possibility, and IF it happens we all know google has been the epitimy of an easy to understand UI. My Grandpa refused to use E-mail until I got him a G-mail account because it's simple and reliable. For those of you who expect some crappy OS (Which might not even be in the works) should probably take a look at Google's track record. What crappy things do they have? IF a google OS were to come out i'd probably see how it works and use it for a while before I make my judgements. One more time for you people who missed it in the article, This is one a guess on what MIGHT happen.

[ValandilLunin @ Jan 3rd 2006 6:29PM]

Based on the quality of Google services, I'm looking forward to this. Personally I'm not sure they should get into computer-making, but if they do, I'd be a sure customer. =)

[Zeus @ Jan 3rd 2006 6:36PM]

I think #25 might be right. It might make sense if it were some sort of thin client, which in some ways might be cool. (Mp3s, pics, etc independant of one's location or hardware, having three comps it's a pain trying to get what I want, where I want it, quickly) It could also be damn scary. (You run the google equivalent of MS Money and it parses your bank accounts for balances, etc, and uses that to target advertising to you. Then god knows who they resell the data too...

[TIMMAH! @ Jan 3rd 2006 6:58PM]

#43 writes: "OMG All you people are missing the point (as far as I can see it). Google makes money from search related advertising. In the long run it will expand these services..."



Yup, another way to get into your house an spy on you. Personally, I'm waiting on the Homeland Security Free PC equipped with webcam... (you turn it off, the LED goes out, but does it really turn off? [cue shrieking violins])

[aleandro @ Jan 3rd 2006 7:22PM]

All I can is that we might see the old times coming back...Just what microsoft needed another enemy to focus on. Google had already aroused them with the internet thin now they want to attack their birth craddle...this should be great to see...

Google another netscape maybe????who knows?