Google Annouces OS

If you haven’t heard yet — Google announced that they will be launching an Operating System this fall.  WHAT!  Let that sink in a bit because the OS wars are on.  In retaliation Microsoft will be announcing completely online versions of Office next week.  Here’s a couple articles to get the scoop:

Why Chrome OS Now? Because Microsoft Office In The Cloud Comes

Monday.
Five Things Google’s Chrome OS Will Do for Your Netbook

What this means for marketers:

• In the short term probably nothing.  It will take awhile for Chrome OS to gain a meaningful audience
• Google will be a very powerful challenger to Microsoft.  Remember that Google has the Android phone operating system out there. And Google has a version of Office (Docs and Spreadsheets) available through Google Docs.
• Software applications will become distributed through an iPhone Ap Store like model — where the application is either subsidized by advertising/sponsorship, sold for a couple bucks, or on a subscription fee.  Marketers will have new opportunities to engage the audience through innovative value add software.  Imagine being able to communicate with your car through your computer’s Bluetooth connection.  Owners could tweak engine performance against fuel savings from their living rooms.
• Yes, you could do that now — but two things are different.  1)  Everyone will be able to distribute software to the consumers PCs through the open online catalog Chrome will bring.  And there will be a lot of people making and sharing great software (see Iphone Ap Store or Wordpress add ons). Software that doesn’t need to be installed on the PC.  2)  All of your toys will be sync’d up.  Since the software is internet based you’ll be using the same applications on your home PC, work PC, and Cell phone.
• Microsoft’s move to put Office out as an internet based application signals the start of the end of packaged software.  If you’re in the packaged software business (production or retail)  it’s time to rethink the business.  This also goes for Video Games.
• Rob’s prediction:  Apple will deploy a version of the Mac OS that runs through a Safari Browser that will work on any computer with internet access.

Things will be getting pretty interesting.  In the next couple years how we view computers will complete change:

1) Current Paradigm =Chip Set + Hardware Manufacture + Operating System + Installed Software + Internet Browser.

example:  Intel + Dell + Vista + Office + IE

2)  New Paradigm = Chip Set + Hardware Manufacture + Internet Browser / Operating System

example: Intel + Dell + Chrome

Notice that Microsoft’s core is now gone — wow!