The Coming of Web-based Operating Systems
Last month, I featured a web-based operating system called YouOS. The strategy was basically to provide the same Operating System experience except it was moved into a web platform. The major issue with YouOS was that is cloned how current operating systems work. However, the current operating system desktop does not perform very nicely on the web. This is primarily due to latency and bandwidth reasons.
Now, TechCrunch has this feature about Google finally showing clear signs that it moving toward building a web-based operating system of its own. Instead of building an operating system to host applications on the web. Google is working on building web-based applications for common productivity tools like word processors, calendaring software and others.
Google has deployed the first pieces of its upcoming Office suite. They’ve launched Google Apps for your Domain, a set of Google services targeted to small and mid sized companies. With the new service, companies can use Gmail, Talk, Calendar and Page Creator under a single control panel. Applications and data will be hosted by Google, for free, with ad support.
The key here is that it is going to be FREE, with AD support of course. Will this eventually spell the end of fat operating systems and standalone application selling as we know it? Good-bye 12 billion USD Microsoft revenue? Will all things now become web-based? Maybe not right away. But, if Microsoft does not adjust quickly with its own Microsoft Live offering it will be in deep trouble. Of course, we all know that Microsoft played catch-up in the Internet/Browser wars versus Netscape but still won in the end.
August 28th, 2006 at 1:34 pm
having a web OS is a very interesting prospect. i, for one, would welcome the mobility. however, i think certain issues right now will prevent its adoption.
data confidentiality raises a big security issue. how much exposure are we looking at for our data? in the workplace, i don’t think companies are willing to allow their data be exposed online. at home, as you’ve mentioned, latency and bandwidth seems to be a big barrier to adoption by the people. not everyone has uber-fast net connection yet. or not every computer has an internet connection, for the matter.
maybe it won’t replace the local os in terms of its functionality, but the advantages of being online can provide certain niche applications ~ sync your pda from any computer, work anywhere, enhanced groupware collaboration tools, etc.
while it might not be the most profitable thing to do, i do think that google wants to be in this project early on so that when most barriers to the adoption of webOSes are broken or addressed, they’ll be there ready and waiting with “mature” services.
August 28th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
well, Google claims to “do no evil” and so far they seem to be complying. however, how long will they be “good”? however, it is an interesting project as these systems are free.