Google's Chrome OS May Fail Even as It Changes Computing Forever

The Google Chrome OS is destined to redefine the desktop operating system, but it might just fall flat on its face as it does so.
Tom Spring, PC World
Google says it is working on an operating system designed for netbooks that boots in seconds, is impervious to viruses, and is designed to run Web-based applications really well. What's not to like? Plenty--if you're the number one software maker, Microsoft. Expect a showdown. Google faces an uphill battle rolling out its operating system, Chrome OS. The irony is, Google may not care if Chrome OS succeeds or fails. Here's why.

Chrome OS Joins the Open Source Mobile Platform Party

Open source operating systems are suddenly flourishing, especially in the growing netbook and smartphone arenas. Moblin, the open source mobile platform launched by Intel and now overseen by The Linux Foundation, is making tremendous strides, and is out in a refreshed beta version 2.0. Android, Google's open source mobile operating system, is also picking up momentum, with more than 30 smartphone handsets running it expected by the end of the year. Meanwhile, Google has just announced that it will deliver Chrome OS — also open source — in 2010, aimed at the hot netbook market. And Symbian, which has almost half of the global smartphone market, has announced that it is moving into beta testing with its open source Symbian 2 OS. These operating systems are all different, and it looks like significant competition between them will lead to much innovation. Here's what to expect. […]
From pro.gigaom.com