Google Chrome OS Announcement: November 19

When we start to see the Google Chrome OS come out on netbooks and tablets it is going to be a paradigm shift in the way that current computing is done. For years we have had to worry about updating drivers, patching software and hoping that our virus software catches the latest thing some 13 year old has cooked up to crash a computer. The long term goal that Google is looking for is total control of the Internet experience. More and more we do what we need to do online, from banking to shopping, to catching up with friends and family and this will only become more pervasive in the future. What Google is doing now is creating a platform where people can do all of their computing work online, in the cloud. Programs you can find now are games, word processing, personal finance, email, calendars and the list goes on and on. With such things available people begin asking themselves why they should pay for a piece of software when they can use either one that is free or one that is always updated.

As I was speaking to my brother yesterday when had a discussion of how DVD sales are slipping while Blue-Ray sales continue to climb. Why are Blue-Ray sales climbing? Well, the high quality of the digital video as well as more content which can be put on it compared to a regular DVD. But then as you think about the Internet, it is all digital there. When you have companies such as NetFlix, Amazon and others with options to stream video over the Internet, can anyone doubt how netcentric our culture has become? I think not.

Google's strategy is a smart one for the coming computer paradigm shift which is getting ready to take place with the netbooks, tablets and smartphones. Are they going to make money? You betcha!