Google (GOOG) is letting a few developers peek behind the curtain. The early look the company's new operating system, Chrome, is happening in true Google style: by invitation only. When it's released, which should be in time for the holidays, developers will be able to bang away at an open source solution, tapping an army of volunteers who are eager to work for bragging rights.

The open source version is called Chromium OS, which will hit the market a year before the "consumer" version is ready, which is how Google will be able to tap the wisdom of developers around the world. In a blog entry, Google explained, "This means the code is free, accessible to anyone and open for contributions." The project includes the code base, user interface experiments and some preliminary designs, all of which can be used for ongoing development efforts. To energize the potential base of contributors, Google said that "development will be done in the open from this point on."

Continue reading Google says: Chrome for Christmas

Google says: Chrome for Christmas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), which already has most of the money in the world, seems intent on grabbing Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) pile by elbowing its way into the operating system business.

Last year Google introduced its own web browser, Chrome, and a platform for smart phones, Android. Now the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) reports that by the end of next year it will roll out an operating system to compete with Windows.

Continue reading Google to launch alternative to Windows

Google to launch alternative to Windows originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Web browser makeovers and why S&P is bullish on Google

Web browser makeovers and why S&P is bullish on Google originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The New York Times reports that Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) will introduce its own browser -- named Chrome -- but will it cost Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) any revenues? Since Microsoft gives away its browser, the answer is no. However, Google's move may force Microsoft to divert resources to upgrade its browser to avoid losing market share.

And Microsoft' still dominates the browser market. The Times reports that Microsoft "still holds 73 percent of the browser market. [Open-source browser] Firefox's [share] has climbed to 19 percent, while Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) Safari has 6 percent." And Google's Chrome introduction marks "a shift for Google, which has strongly backed Firefox."

So why is Google doing this? It could be so that as Google develops applications -- such as search, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation and e-mail programs -- designed to run on browsers for PCs and handheld devices it wants to avoid being so dependent on Microsoft. InfoTech reports that a "new feature in the latest beta of Microsoft IE 8 makes it easier for users to block information about their browsing habits, a move which could hamper Google's interests in display advertising." And while Firefox keeps pressure on Microsoft to upgrade its browser, Google has far more resources to threaten Microsoft's share. So Chrome could divert more Microsoft cash and staff.

Continue reading Is Google's browser a threat to Microsoft?

Is Google's browser a threat to Microsoft? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) will offer its own internet browser to compete with Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) Internet Explorer and the Mozilla Firefox product.

The software may be plagued by the law of unintended consequences, doing more damage to Firefox than to Microsoft. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google says the "software is designed to make it faster to browse the Web and easier to run applications without downloading software to a computer."

Most PCs come loaded with Internet Explorer as part of Microsoft Windows. That leaves Google with the challenge of getting consumers to download its new browser. Firefox is also software which must be downloaded. Google may end up competing more with Firefox, a product it has supported in the past, than with IE.

Most consumers don't care what browser they use as long as they have access to the internet. Microsoft's largest advantage is that it is part of the PC software package that people use without any thought as to how it might be changed.

Google will end up hurting an ally without doing any damage to its primary rival.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Google (GOOG) puts horse into browser race originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 04:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.