Google Goes for the Throat.

Google has announced plans to launch an operating system. What you didn't hear? I guess you're under a rock because I can't turn around without hearing about this story today. The headlines are going crazy, with pundits and reporters spewing more crap then the Exxon Valdez did.

Want my take? Well here goes. Many people find it easy to pick on Microsoft's OS, Windows, because everyone uses it. Simply put, if I complain about an error common to Windows chances are you have run into it too. Now most of what I hear is how Microsoft is finally coming down.

I don't think so. Microsoft's Windows is what over 90% of personal computer users have loaded on their machines. That is a big stronghold. But the argument goes, Microsoft had a near monopoly on Internet web browsers that it watched erode in recent years to a reported 60-70%. This, many reporters say, translates directly to what will happen the Microsoft's Windows OS. The problem with this thought is, web browsers are far less complex then an OS. Windows works with everything. Buy a new camera, printer, phone, speaker set, monitor, etc. and plug it into a Windows based machine and chances are it will make a connection. Will Google be able to code for the thousands of products out there? Not to mention all the software that Windows interacts with seamlessly. Google will have to code its OS to work with programs written for Windows. Not many companies will write software for an OS other then Windows. Why? Because of Windows gigantic user base. It simply makes no sense to code for a program that will be on less then 1% of personal computers.

Will Google's new OS push the envelope for speed and ease of Internet access? Absolutely. Will it knock Microsoft down? Extremely doubtful. Don't get me wrong, I like Google. I use Google web apps above almost all others and I even surf the Internet on Google's Chrome web browser. But Microsoft has started to pull its Internet strategy out of the dirt. I use Microsoft's search engine Bing before Google search now and, if Microsoft can put together a great online platform, I would move from Google. Maybe base the online platform on the Xbox Live platform, offer rich web apps and a single unified profile that could be based off Facebook. You can save yourself Microsoft, you just need to be more flexible and move much faster.

Google OS