Google Chrome Tablets to Compete with the iPad?
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If you follow the mobile market, you’re probably already aware that Google’s upcoming Android OS (Gingerbread) is being designed with tablets in mind. But the big question on the minds of many experts is, will a possible Chrome OS also target tablets or focus exclusively on PCs and netbooks?
Google has announced a press event for tomorrow in San Francisco where they plan to share some “exciting news about Chrome.” Chrome is Google’s web browser which competes directly against Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Apple’s Safari and the Firefox web browsers. Most analysts expect Google’s special event to focus on their much rumored Chrome OS which is said to target PCs and netbooks along with a new Chrome OS app store.
Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt recently said that the company views Chrome as an OS for devices with keyboards and Android more for mobile devices with touch screens lacking a keyboard. While Schmidt’s delineation certainly provides some clue as to the company’s intent, it does not mean that device manufactures will stick to these guidelines. We expect to see Chrome OS based tablets start hitting the early market next year competing with other tablet devices and further clouding the tablet space.
Many have questioned Google’s strategy on having two completely separate and competing OS strategies with Android and Chrome. Unlike Apple, Google’s OS ecosystem is not compatible with one another and each OS is based on a completely different code base. So far the company has continued to invest heavily in both operating systems and appears content allowing both to compete against each other in the marketplace.
Chrome OS is Google’s attempt to supplant the native computer OS and move the user experience and app ecosystem away from traditional PC OS vendors over to Google’s cloud. This move could be a significant threat to Microsoft and their Windows operating system which currently holds a dominant market position.
If manufactures do decide to release Chrome OS based tablets, Apple’s iPad could see additional competitive pressure. However, with dual OSs and two separate app stores, further fragmentation could be Google’s Achilles heel and temper developer and consumer enthusiasm for any possible new tablets.
