Google to release cloud based OS?

gadgetzone.com.au writes: "The omnipotent nature of Google in the online arena gives it a financial and influential advantage over its competition – while competitors (notably Microsoft) scamper to take a foothold in this online phenomenon, attempting to snatch some of the revenue pie and make up what little ground they can on Google. It's this online dominance that Google can use to step into the world of operating systems. And it will likely revolve around cloud technology."

[dnf27]

With Microsoft confirming they are working on cloud, and Apple releasing MobileMe, it's a safe assumption the future will be cloud based. How good would it be if Linux/Google came around as a challenger to Apple and Microsoft though. You can bet Google would make a great product.

[theKiller]

i will be the first one to use google new OS!! am fed up with windows and all errors and formats and restarts that i have to go through!

[Mr_Bun]

bubbles for both of you!

[Wii60Fan]

totally be cloud based- the machine needs some kind of operating kernal to run.

[Lord Anubis]

wrong. no computation is done on the client side. in the future and the concept of the cloud OS is to eliminate the PC.

[wibble]

Wii60 is right, there still has to be an OS on the client computer - file system, GUI, network management etc.

[Lord Anubis]

don't be silly. otherwise it wouldn't be accessible through cellphones and PDAs. that's the whole point of the cloud. only access to the internet. Portal.

[Caxtus750]

but surely PDA's and phones also have an OS?

You will need some kind of OS to act as a "portal" like you said, so as to configure settings such as connection settings etc.

[Kyur4ThePain]

If Apple can sort out MobileMe's few issues and Google does this, MS is going to start pooping in its pants.

[mirroredderorrim]

I will be there with an empty box of laxatives.

[SkyGamer]

That will be a radical change that won't happen for awhile. Not everyone will feel secure about having their personal data at the beck and call of google. Especially since they already store everything you search for and sell it to companies. Yeah, that makes me feel a lot better, jk!

[SkyGamer]

Maybe in UK where you get 100mb/s would that work well but you also need a decent uplink rate and even with today's 12 mb wouldn't be enough. the article's author clearly screams "google fanboy." They are making the classic mistake about not having competition and stepping on too many toes. You really think that apple and MS would be willing to hand over there main reason for existing to google? And who would control the outsource? If no one is getting paid then who upkeeps them? And if so for how long?
I like how everyone in the world thinks that everything should be for free. They are delusional. The world is a capitalist environment and that is the way it is. If you could stop greed from the core of the human heart, then maybe but until then it is ALL wishful thinking. You could say the same to google for not being content on being the dominant factor in the online factor. That is what will ultimately be their downfall, trying to do everything. Unlike MS, they haven't been around as much and haven't stored as much money. Even apple has more ground than google.

[Ttam]

Google shouldn't be trying to make an OS. They should focus on what they do best.

[clrlite]

I like to access my files locally most of the time, TY. However, I think they will make a Fine OS if they don't fail to make a fine OS. Don't forget, there are already plenty of OS out there already. I'm just learning about this cloud thing. It doesn't pique my curiosity too much.

[tk]

Some AJAX components to make the user interface more interactive...
Some applications on a list that you can use - including word processor, spreadsheet, database, graphics, presentations, planning etc.. and there you have it. Log in on any PC and you get your desktop with applications withoul loading anything. Upgrades done by the service provider. Not much of a mystery really.

Just that it cuts out the applciation seller who sell to the end client via reseller channel. Now they can sell directly. Obviously MS makes most of their money from OS and Office sales. So if you use Google docs from a Linux thin client - they don't get a piece of the action.