Chrome OS - Google's answer to Microsoft Windows?

Yesterday, Google has come out with two new announcements on its blog. Firstly, Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, Google Talk along with Google Apps are out of beta. Though it may not mean much for the company itself, it is definitely an eye-turner for corporates who may, to date, have restrictions in purchasing a beta product. As Google made it very clear, there would be no dearth in innovation in these services though they remove the beta tag. But, the second announcement, shook the tech world. Chrome OS. How you look at the word 'shook' depends on whether you like Google or not. An OS from Google's stable was due for quite some time but the timing of this announcement is slightly suspect.

I am a pro-Google guy with keen interest in all of their apps. But I find it so unlike-Google that they made an announcement about a product that they plan to release in late 2010. Stealth has always been Google's strength. You never know what to expect. But, somehow I feel Google kind of reacted to Microsoft's BING. In case you did not know what BING stands for, it is But It's Not Google. There have been some media reports and news articles how BING actually started eating into Google's search territory. It could be true. It could be false. I personally feel that the initial reports describing BING's share are biased. Users definitely have an urge to try out BING and that could have impacted the search shares. We will know the real picture in some time.

Coming back to the timing in which the announcement is made, it may be because Google wanted the spotlight back. It is more like an announcement to Microsoft. If Microsoft can challenge its territory, so can Google. That is the message. For now, we can ignore the fact that Chrome OS will initially be targeted at netbooks. The next logical step would be personal computers and enterprises. Odds are in favor of Google, given its brand image and innovative products. But, Microsoft is not underprepared. It already has plans for Gazelle - a web browser as a multi principal OS. Check this link. That Chrome OS announcement followed Microsoft Gazelle doesn't auger very well for Google.

I am pretty sure Chrome OS is not a vaporware. But how Google tackles Microsoft in the coming days will be pretty interesting. To date, Google doesn't have a quality rival in its flagship product - search. Microsoft could break that. Could.