Here we go again. It seems like just yesterday we heard the first whispers of a Google desktop OS, and products like
Chrome stoke suspicions that the Mountain View-based company is setting itself up to invade the PC. Although Google insists that it's focusing on the cloud, since
Android was announced, the feasibility of a Google-branded desktop OS has certainly increased. Now, market research firm Net Applications is reporting that it has seen a third of the traffic from Google's employees with intentionally blocked identification strings. This could be a real indicator that the big G is hard at work on a desktop OS -- or just a sign that folks at Google don't care to share their OS of choice. Hopefully, we'll be hearing more sooner rather than later, but feel free to chime in with your Google global domination theories and rabid speculation in the comments.
[Via
Boy Genius Report]
posted Dec 7th 2008 8:08PM
Chrome? You're using that as an indicator of a Google OS? I guess it must be based on the NT kernel then (;
Ummm... No. They're talking about the OS identifier strings that come along when a web client makes a request from an HTTP(s) server.
Chromes not even available on OSX yet...
What that suggests to me is that a Google OS will be only half baked..
Fo0, that makes no sense. If Google makes its own operating system, I would hope that it would be POSIX-compliant and run Linux apps, instead of having its own API's and having to start from scratch writing software for it ...but that is an entirely different issue from porting applications between operating systems.
I meant the snark to be at Oli D, not Fo0 ... My apologies, Fo0!
@HighTeckRedNeck
FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OpenSolaris (and others) are completely different beasts than Linux, yet can run Linux Binaries. Some things, like VMware, that require certain kernel features, don't work, but FireFox, Staroffice, etc all work
Google already uses a customized FS for it's server farm operations, I'm sure it has a unbelievably customized version of linux as well. You can learn more about their operations here: http://blog.topix.com/archives/000016.html The article is a bit dated, circa 2004, but it gives you a nice picture of the state of their technology 4 years ago. My guess is that these obfuscated OS strings are being generated by machines running their custom OS for search testing purposes.
This is even worse than the apple speculation...
I remember some pretty outrageous speculation about some sort of "iPhone" way back in the day...
Apple make a phone?!
pshhhhhhhh
Nope, just a brick with a touch-screen.
iPhone is their marketing thing...
Will it be Linux based?
Likely, but like all linux distro's without configuring Wine or Crossover, itll be another hard to fight with compatibility fest
Actually I remember that when this speculation started, Google said that they ran Ubuntu but modified it a bit... which led to the Goobutntu speculation strand...
I would really like to see the chrome errr... chrome (i mean the web browser's toolbar, titlebar and such) designs into gnome... Imagine the skinning possibilities?
But I think that this might not happen.
It's about time for Google to put an OS out there, the way they have their applications (chrome, gmail, RSS feed, etc.) just does not make sense anymore, they need a desktop OS to bring everything toghether something like G.HO.ST did.
Google? World domination? Don't be ridiculous. I mean just because #THIS MESSAGE HAS BEEN INTERCEPTED AND THE USER HAS BEEN TERMINATED THROUGH MEANS OF FRIGGIN' LASER BEAMS. HAVE A NICE DAY# End of Message.
If G-Mail is in beta now, I can't wait to see what it'll be like when it finally emerges. Maybe instead
of hotkeys it'll be a neural interface.
It is to early to talk abour google os even chrome is beta and not stable.
Google has a thing for betas, if Gmail ever leaves beta I'll... well, I don't know, but it'll be crazy.
when is a google product NOT beta? :P
I have this theory that Google's ultimate plan is to have all of their stuff come out of beta at once, and make a gigantic deal out of it.
Naw, Google plans to keep everything in beta until the human race is completely reliant on their products (ever go a day without Google?!), then pull everything out of beta and charge for it.
Or demand world domination.
I bet the OS will be called Google Beta.
Your spelling is not stable.
"When is a Google product NOT beta ?"
I'm not 100% sure but I'd say it's when you stop using IT and it starts using YOU.
I don't think a software developer ever makes a product that actually comes out of Beta. There is Beta, and Beta Release, they just worked a few more bugs out before releasing and then they patch it to get it in to final release. Hell look at 98 it didn't stop getting updates until after End of Life. This applies to all companies not just Microsoft, I am looking at you too Apple constant iPhone patches that we have to keep hearing even if all they do is add a pocket rocket app that causes the phone to vibrate at different frequencies and intervals.
my theory about why google keeps everything in beta is because software is never really "finished". there will always be an update of some sort, and bug fixes, especially web based apps. I dont think its meant to be used in the traditional way, but more as a tongue 'n cheek humor of the software industry.
Web software should be considered "Beta" since new updates and features are constantly added, and nothing is actually "released" to be installed to receive those updates. Software should come out of Beta when it's ready to be released as a new version (1.0, 2.5, etc...), which would mean it has something to actually install.
Everything Google does is permanently stuck in beta.
That said, gimme Google OS!!!
So... will I see relevant ads every time I turn on my PC? This notion actually frightens me, considering what most of my used disk space is comprised of.
The exact same arguments were made before Android was released.
* Every single application would be filled with ads.
* You would have to listen to a 30 second ad before making a phone call.
* It would be in constant beta.
Well, version 1.0 was released, and there were no built-in ads.
So much for rumors.
Thank you for alleviating me. I was worried Google would discover my complete, and meticulously organized, collection of My Little Pony animated series episodes.
the hell kind of porn is that??
Well any kind or porn involving horses is alright by me.
Horses/ponies don't really do it for me.
Unicorns all the way.
I don't see that there would be ads in the OS - that's just totally unprofessional. I'm sure Google would make their money by signing deals with companies and preload tons of software on the OS (and of course all of Google's stuff).
Hilarious thread, one million internets each.
I ain't really into horse/ pony's/ unicorn porn, i prefer human porn.
Does that make me weird?
Rule 34 is alive and well.
It would only make sense for them to create an OS , android is going well. Google created a web browser, and donated a lot of time etc to the wine project. My guess is it will run all the windows apps or most , through wine.
I wouldn't mind a decent free operating system. A few unobtrusive ads on unused portions of my desktop/titlebar don't annoy me much. My main fear is that since google ads are based on what you are doing, is that when I am watching porn I will see some pretty weird ads.
Good 'ol Google's just trying to expand your horizons.
So you admit to watching porn? Well hey at least your honest
It's not like watching porn is unnatural. I guess for the underage it is.
Actually, I think it's more popular for the underaged people.
"Birthday is 1990"... So, 18. Now how long have you been doing this, then?
And I'd consider it unnatural.
Probably gone blind by now hehe
People watch porn. It's a multi-billion dollar industry. Online sales alone amount to several billion every year.
Paying for porn is unnatural.
In my opinion, it's much better for a kid to watch porn than stupid violence on CNN or alike.
Or is there anyone who thinks that exposed brains are "safer" for a kid to see than a beautiful naked woman with a rather handsome naked dude doing it?
Right, there's "porn" and there's "pr0n", but still, less of an ill-impact than guns, blood and violence imho...
Right... yankees, I forgot.
Feed your kids with war and shit like that instead of sex, but then don't be surprised at 14-year old having babies or worse, diseses, because of inapropriate sexual education.
@ loocas
I think you're commenting on the fact that Americans tolerate proportionally more violence than they do sex in the media?
A validate point, but I think you went off the deep end there....
Yeah, I agree, ByronGman...
You'll see "buy FILENAME on Amazon" probably. You'll be amazed how many "related items" you can find online.
Britain's just as bad
What will it be good for? I don't think anything serious on the software market nowdays would get ported as:
1) Google usually has totally ridiculous licensing conditions
2) I can't imagine a Photoshop CS5 with ad-sense everywhere
WRT to number 2: I could. Most people pirate photoshop. I'm sure Adobe would love for those people to download an ad-supported version. At least they'd get something.
If most people pirated Photoshop, I don't think Adobe would be a world No. 10 software developer...
http://www.softwaretop100.org/list.php?page=1
Good thing XP isn't the most pirated operating system. Microsoft might go bankrupt.
What exactly, on my previous post, didn't make sense to low-rank it to oblivion?
your post was low ranked because by your logic M$ would be dead broke too.......
BUSINESSES that pay MILLIONS for Adobe software are what keep them going.........but the vast majority of people that own photoshop pirate it.....I own CS3 Master but thats only because I got it thru a student discount program........I wouldnt pay $2,000 for something I can get for free.............
WHAT?
Man, you telling me that my logic is wrong, yet you refuse to pay for software that required a lot of R&D, money and human resources to put together.
Good on you, bro!
On a contrary, I only bought what I NEED and I PAID for it as well as I'm getting paid for my job and I'd certailny hate being constantly ripped off while at the same time working my ass off for the clients
And let me recap as I think you missunderstood my point:
Adobe is currently No. 10 TOP software developer, right? Now, if everybody, as suggested, pirated their software, they'd be broke and bankrupt by now instead of TOP 10, right? So, where's the connection between my "logic" and Windows XP being pirated the hell out of them? I can't see it.
Adobe = TOP 10 because it has almost monopoly in 2D desktop editing = they SELL a lot of licences = they earn a lot of money.
Ideally, if everybody used Adobe products and PAID for them, Adobe would most likely be called UAC by now and we'd be seeing portals all over Mars.
im all in for a G-OS aside form the computability issue. If they can make the transition and the user interface as seemless/smooth/functional as their other products then im all in.
If Google can get PC manufacturers to preload Chrome, they wouldn't need to push their own operating system. Unless of course it is meant to weaken Microsoft.
They may of course do an Apple and release their own line of hardware running Google software by default, but stripped user agent data is far to flimsy as grounds to support speculations like these.
Please no.
Google can't even get a simple browser right, as Chrome crashes more often than mobile Safari does for me, with the latest Chrome update (it's that bad), so I can't imagine how bad their OS would be.
Not to mention, their OS would be in perpetual beta, just like the rest of their products, with the exception of Picasa 3.
I guess you just wouldn't use it.
Chrome's not that good; try a recent Chromium build. You get a few bad eggs, but most of them are actually remarkably clean & stable.
make it lightning fast n ill use it.
I think Google can merge Canonical and make Gubuntu.It'll be faster.
Come on Engadget, OLD NEWS! Google has had a netbook OS out for quite a while: http://www.thinkgos.com/
From the bottom of the page, "gOS is not affiliated with Google or their partners."
Fail.
Fail Hard 2: Fail Harder
oh really? From your link..... gOS is not affiliated with Google or their partners.
Google, Google Icons, and the Google Logo are trademarks of Google Inc. gOS is not affiliated with Google or their partners.
gOS is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Copyright © 2008 Good OS LLC. All rights reserved. Patent pending.
FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL. FAIL.
Death sentence maybe?
I think it would be good to have a linux based google operating system, that way google could bring to the table what there good at, cloud computing and streamlined ui's. It would be a huge boon to have a streamlined linux os, especially one with a focus on cloud computing, which will become more and more important in times to come.
Doesn't Google have a desktop OS?
http://www.thinkgos.com/
Huh. Turns our gOS isn't affiliated with Google...
Even if its awesome it'll most likely be linux based and linux doesn't have any market share compared to even apple so I don't think it'll get much attention even if it is made by google.
The best way to get market share is to attract users. The best way to attract users is to make it simple, functional, and streamlined. I have a feeling Google can manage that.
And then it might finally become the year of the Linux desktop.
That's the point...
you put a Google sticker onto something so it can have access to a wider market share
--> wider interest from the consumers and from the manufacturers
--->> less hardware issues for Linux
----->>>even wider audience
------>>>> open source alternative to Flash and such become mainstream standards
---------------->>>>> World domination.
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!
that's really cool~
If google were to back a distro or make there own... wow.. watch out... windows needs to either get a hell of a lot better or die...
This is getting very popular with Corporations who are increasing security. F5 BigIP LTM can strip any identifing information as the packets leave the corporate network. This is very hot right for security....
Looking for Google desktop OS? It is already out for decades. It is called "Linux"! Are they going to fool anyone
by putting that G logo on the Linux package?
Apple did it by putting a Fruit logo on the Unix package.
@thedesolate1 : I literally couldn't agree more.
Yea Apple did it and took it somewhere.........
if Google can do it and in doing so damn near MAKE more developers support Linux it would be AMAZING!!!.......M$ would REALLY be in trouble then.......
OMG I want a Google OS!!! I would pay like $2000 for it. Like for real. I use everything Google (literally everything, even their Chinese translation system when I don't know *any* Mandarin), and every Google OS rumor that comes up makes me so excited.
I think the Chrome example is merely to say that they denied that they were making anything until it was ready. I don't blame them, but I can keep a secret if they let me use it...
I love Google. Oh, if they released this for Christmas, it would be the best present ever.
Such a fanboi.... but to be honest, I too am hard for anything with a Google sticker on it.
I would do anything for them, ANYTHING!
@Jake Tobak
True that. Haha I don't mind being called a Google fanboi, not at all.
I love google and everything and I believe it would be nice to have another major player in the OS segment. However I am concerned about the privacy issues that would arise in a google OS. I mean they already know everything about me in terms of web browsing and I don't want them to be digging around my files trying to get ad data. What if the information gets into the wrong hands? But once again that doesn't matter because we have the power of choice to choose (almost) any OS we want. So do your thing google as long as you dont go the Microsoft route I'm rooting for you.
There really aren't any privacy issues with Google. They *never* use your information for *anything*. I would let them know my dna if they wanted it or if I had some money around for the 23andme kit. Really, no one will ever get your information, and no person even knows it - it's all automated with servers.
after my recent vista network fiasco, i'm willing to try an OS made by honda much less google
If Honda made an OS, they'd only let the Japanese market get the good version, and they'd give us bloated leftovers.
They haven't even ported sketchup yet, so I'd not be counting on it.
It could be a cloud based OS, a normal OS that uses applications in the cloud, google docs etc. It would only work if it was all well integrated and acted like normal applications. That would help save hard drive space, especially on netbooks with small SSDs
If google made an OS, i wouldnt go near it. I dont go to google search anymore or use gmail or any other google related product or service. I dont trust them and the thought of them getting money gets on my nerves as so many people dont understand how there search business goes. I believe they are malicious competition and not good for any1!