Today, Google announced Chrome OS, a light-weight, Linux-based OS that is designed to get users online as quickly as possible.
The OS supports multiple accounts, offline access via HTML5 (if the web app supports it) and even cloud-based printing.
The iOS and Android universes are all about apps. Instead of using a browser to do simple tasks, most users prefer to use apps instead, since apps are far more powerful. Back in October, I wrote:
The main problem with web apps today is that they aren’t granted the same rights as native apps, including integration with calendar, contact and photo information. Web apps continue to be islands. Even with off-line data, they just aren’t the same as SDK-built apps. Until Apple, Google and other mobile OS makers resolve this issue, web apps will always be second-class citizens in this app-driven world.
I don’t think Chrome OS can change this. I’m not sure Google wants to change it, even. Chrome OS’ “Web Store” is a repository of web-based apps that offer users rich experiences within the browser itself.
Better web apps are great. The web needs to evolve to catch up with native, SDK-built apps.
That said, I don’t think Chrome OS-powered netbooks will do all that well. It’s a refreshed version of the thin client — something that never has done well with consumers. People like rich, fat apps, and as good as these web apps may be, they may not be enough to keep Chrome OS afloat.