At the beginning of this year when rumors surfaced that Google might release its own operating system to compete with Windows, well it is not difficult to find the fact after browsing couple web-sites. Actually, gOS is not a "Google OS" nor is it affiliated with Google but is developed by Good OS LLC out of Los Angeles, the United States.
The impact of gOS on web browsing market
When web browser market was dominated by Netscape before 1998, Microsoft broke the ice to implement Internet Explorer 3.0 in Windows 95 to take over the leading place. After reinforcing IE functions in the following series up to IE 8.0 which introduced in March, 2009, Microsoft has taken the first place in web browser market. On the other hand, the release of Firefox also gradually eats up Microsoft’s market share. Moreover, Google introduced its web browser “Chrome” in 2008 that would grow faster, the marketers predicated. However, the market share of Chrome is less than 5% up to now. What’s wrong with it?
Chrome developed by Google
The writer indicated it is very normal for Chrome not to take more than 10% market share in three months. If a newly released web browser can easily take over 10% market share of web browser market, IE and Firefox would not find a place to stand not to mention Microsoft’s 10-year hard working and experiences in this field. Therefore, if Google aims to elevate Chrome’s market share, it will take at least 3 to 5 years. It is similar to what happened to Firefox. Therefore, Google might still take itself as a service provider to serve enterprises and individuals.
The impact of gOS on OS market
In the following, the operating system will be mentioned. A web browser can not replace an operating system. However, Linux or gOS has been an operating system, why can they not get popular either? The main cause rests on the integration and compatibility of the operating system with devices and peripherals. At the current stage, no operating system developer can complete with Microsoft for the above mentioned reason.
Related hardware manufactures support gOS
It is hard to find vendors not only to pre-install gOS in the PCs but also sell them on the market. There were few examples. Back in 2008, Taiwan-based PC vendor, FIC introduced its own branded Everex gPC adapted VIA microprocessor in CES show, Las Vegas. Also, the other GIGABYTE M912 Touch Screen Netbooks was recommended in gOS’ official web-site. If gOS is getting popular in the future, Taiwan-based vendors will be the main beneficiaries. Furthermore, gOS seems to give up the PC market and has aggressively developed Netbooks and Nettops version in current six months. Assuming from the failing experience of Linux, gOS might not be able to roar a change in IT industry like what Microsoft’s IE has done. gOS should work on the peripheral drivers, system compatibility and popularity to make its voice heard.
For the system requirements of gOS was not mentioned in gOS’s official web-site (http://www.thinkgos.com/index.html), It's based on Ubuntu Linux 7.10 which also supports 64 bit microprocessor and would use as a minimum a 1 GHz Pentium III with 256MB RAM, 4GB HD. Even gOS has not the mainstream of operating systems, the cpus OEMed by Taiwan-based Nan Ya PCB, Hong Hai and TSMC are still supported by gOS.
Conclusion
The writer believes that in terms of operating system of PC and NB, Microsoft will still be the leader in next 10 years. Ironically, a web browser can not replace an operating system yet to become the major interface for users at the same time. However, in terms of mobile interface, Microsoft is not the mainstream yet so that Google Android + Chrome can stand in a better ground in the future.