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(Google) Chrome OS

Did you know Google now has an operating system? You didn't? Well I didn't either. But, like the classic definition of vaporware, Google announced their OS last week to widespread acclaim from the google fanboys. People are talking about Google OS having stuff Windows doesn't have. Nevermind that not a single code of Google OS has been publicly released (alpha, beta or RC).

So when Microsoft releases vaporware, it's bad. But when Google does it, it's the dawn of a new day. I seem to remember the same acclaim when Google Chrome came out. Several months later, it's stuck way behind IE and Firefox (except of course amongst the fan boys).

Also, if Microsoft got into hot water for bundling IE with Windows, how will Google circumvent the same legal trapdoor? I suppose it's more likely the presiding judge would be a google lover (or perhaps Google will impress upon him the need to rule their way or have his search data be public knowledge....I kid). Currently Google has it's foot in just about every thing:
  • search (www.google.com),
  • desktop search (google desktop)
  • maps (google maps),
  • calendar (google calendar)
  • instant messaging (google talk)
  • phone (google voice),
  • online payment systems (google checkout),
  • social network (orkut),
  • website traffic analysis (google analytics)
  • video (youtube),
  • online photos (picasaweb.google.com),
  • desktop photo management (picasa),
  • online office apps (google docs),
  • news (google news),
  • comparison shopping (google product search),
  • blogs (blogger),
  • encyclopedia (knol)
  • rss reader (google reader)
  • personal health records (google health)
  • 3D modeling (google sketchup)
  • groups (google groups)
  • personal websites (google sites)
  • lanaguage translation (google translate)
  • toolbar (google toolbar)
So tell me, how many of these Google products do you use and who should you be more afraid of: google or microsoft? At least Microsoft isn't overtly data mining your private email!

By the way, Google acquired some of these products the same way Microsoft acquired their best sellers: identify a small company with a good product; buy the company; rebrand and re-release the product and make it free.

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