Google’s Chrome OS supports x86 and ARM

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8 Jul, 2009 4:23 pm

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Chrome LogoEveryone and most likely even their dog got excited by Google’s announcement that the company is working on a Chrome OS. However, one of the most interesting aspects of it is the fact that it’s cross platform, with support for both x86 (Intel, AMD, VIA etc) and ARM.

What does this mean? Well, possibly nothing, but most likely a lot. Think of it for a while. Where do you most often find ARM based processors? In your mobile phone or Smartphone, or in other words devices that have days worth of battery life. Sure, the screen is part of the issue when it comes to netbooks and battery life compared to Smartphone’s, but for anyone wanting a device with long battery life, ARM has the upper hand on x86.

This might also have some huge ramifications for Nvida’s Tegra platform, at least if Nvidia is willing to work with Google to create good support for its Tegra platform in the Chrome OS. Then there’s of course Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and TI’s OMAP processors to mention but a few of the many ARM processors in the market and both companies are busy working on better, faster processors that offer even longer battery life.

Beyond this, Chrome OS might well end up being cloud based, much like Jolicloud, at least if you consider the field in which Google is strong. Hopefully this will lead to better off-line modes for many of Google’s online applications, even under Windows.  The cloud factor makes even more sense when you read the press release which states “The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web” with heavy emphasis on the latter part.

The press release continues “We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds.” All of this sounds great, but let’s hope that Google doesn’t go too light weight and forget about the moments when you can’t be connected to the internet. Cloud based operating systems have their place, but so far, there isn’t an affordable way of staying connected to the internet 24/7 and until that becomes a reality, a cloud OS has its limitations.

One interesting aspect is that applications for the Chrome OS will also work in other web browsers which should make it very interesting for developers to come up with applications for it. Of course Google mentions that all web based applications will work, although we’re sceptical about this on the ARM platform as yet, as ARM based processors doesn’t offer the same kind of raw processing power that you get from an x86 processor.

Still, it’s an interesting start and Google expects to start shipping the Chrome OS in the middle of 2010 on netbooks from various manufacturers. You can find the press release here which is an interesting read in itself.


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  • http://twitter.com/matthewhooper Matthew Hooper

    I think it will most likely be as much of an OS that is needed in order to run Google's Chrome browser. I am doubtful that there will be much application support but since it will be open source there is always that possibility. Google will probably handle the ability to handle offline tasks with Gears, this probably won't be much of an issue.

    It will also be a difficult market for Google to get into especially if Apple decides to develop the long rumoured tablet or “over sized iPhone/iPod”. Consumers that aren't die hard Google apps users will have a hard time moving to something that they can't use their current apps with. That has always been the problem for other Linux OS's or even Apple for that matter. Competition is always great so it will be exciting to see what Google has to offer.

  • http://www.netbooknews.com netbooknews

    Sure, but it's still interesting to see that Google is embracing ARM and this might just be what ARM based processors need to gain popularity in the netbook/smartbook space.
    There are already a few Linux alternatives that pretty much does what Google seem to be implying, but the integration with Google's other services is what will make or break this platform, for some this is the cloud computing nirvana and for other, Google is as evil as that other company that makes operating systems…

  • http://blog.matthewhooper.com/ Matt Hooper

    I think it will most likely be as much of an OS that is needed in order to run Google's Chrome browser. I am doubtful that there will be much application support but since it will be open source there is always that possibility. Google will probably handle the ability to handle offline tasks with Gears, this probably won't be much of an issue.

    It will also be a difficult market for Google to get into especially if Apple decides to develop the long rumoured tablet or “over sized iPhone/iPod”. Consumers that aren't die hard Google apps users will have a hard time moving to something that they can't use their current apps with. That has always been the problem for other Linux OS's or even Apple for that matter. Competition is always great so it will be exciting to see what Google has to offer.

  • http://www.netbooknews.com netbooknews

    Sure, but it's still interesting to see that Google is embracing ARM and this might just be what ARM based processors need to gain popularity in the netbook/smartbook space.
    There are already a few Linux alternatives that pretty much does what Google seem to be implying, but the integration with Google's other services is what will make or break this platform, for some this is the cloud computing nirvana and for other, Google is as evil as that other company that makes operating systems…