Google vs. Microsoft

Google’s new and upcoming OS just  might be the catalyst for a major battle with Microsoft.

From Ben Parr’s blog,   “Google jumped directly into Microsoft’s home turf by announcing Google Chrome OS, its new operating system for PCs and netbooks. And while we’re still debating whether it will take down Windows or flop like a fish on land, we tend to forget that this isn’t the first time Google’s challenged Microsoft. In fact, it’s become almost routine. Microsoft: This is Microsoft’s bread and butter. Windows is the reason Microsoft makes $60+ billion in revenue every year and has stayed on top for so long. Its stranglehold is legendary.”

According to Google, Chrome it is their attempt to re-think what operating systems should be. In their blog on 7/7/2009 Google introduces the OS by saying, “We designed Google Chrome for people who live on the web — searching for information, checking email, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends. However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we're announcing a new project that's a natural extension of Google Chrome — the Google Chrome Operating System. It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be.

Looks like Google Chrome will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010.

Speed, simplicity and security are to be the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. Attempts are to design the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get on the web in just a few seconds.

This may turn out to be the battle of the decade.  An interesting battle to keep an eye on. Competition -  I love it!