Skip to main content

Gmail creator has no faith in Chrome OS

Android v chromeFormer Google employee and Gmail creator Paul Buchheit apparently doesn’t think much of the recent Chrome launch. On his FriendFeed account, Buchheit recently posted “Prediction: ChromeOS will be killed next year (or “merged” with Android).” And that isn’t all he had to say about his doubts. “ChromeOS has no purpose that isn’t better served by Android (perhaps with a few mods to support a non-touch display). I was thinking, ‘is this too obvious to even state?’, but then I see people taking ChromeOS seriously, and Google is even shipping the devices for some reason.”

He isn’t the only one predicting a rough future for ChromeOS. The Linux-based operating system is drawing criticism in its beta round, with many testers complaining that its Web-based interface just isn’t user-friendly. GigaOm hit the nail on the head, saying “The biggest challenge for Google’s Chrome OS is that it is going to be fighting against many life-long habits of using a desktop OS.” And while Google intends for Chrome OS to become a viable option to competitors like Mac OS X and Windows, even reviewers who liked the setup admitted it would never fully replace a traditional system. Some are also questioning how well the machines will work when disconnected, since the Chrome OS is essentially a strictly cloud computing system. While the notebooks have modems, GigaOm questions whether or not existing networks are capable of handling “the network traffic demands of a cloud-centric client.”

Recommended Videos

It sounds like what most people are asking is “Why Chrome OS?” Google has an operating system that many users love – Android. It’s already a recognizable brand to consumers, and from the sounds of Chrome testers and Buchheit, it may end up becoming the prevailing Google OS. But Google didn’t release the Chrome OS notebook to retailers yet for a reason, and in the December 7 event stated that the company wanted to conduct consumer testing and use the feedback it receives. It sure seems like a crucial element to tweak, but who knows what the final versions will hold when (if?) they are officially launched in mid-2011.

Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
The Google Pixel Watch isn’t great, but it could still save Wear OS
Google Pixel Watch on a wrist.

Last week, the Pixel Watch launched. As Google's first premium smartwatch, it fills up the void that has existed for eight long-drawn years. During this time, Android users have felt the absence of a powerful smartwatch that offers an unadulterated Android experience, competing against the Apple Watch. Google arrives late to the party, at a time when brands already imagine successors to smartphones, and Apple and Samsung have strongholds in the market.

The Pixel Watch stands against the odds, and the first impressions lend no mercy. Things could have been much different had Google set a timely foot in the segment. So, a few basic questions crop up: Is it too late for the Pixel Watch to get the success that Google claims it to be worthy of? Can Google salvage that? Is this the end of Wear OS?

Read more
The Google Pixel Tablet is a bad idea that might just work
Someone holding a Google Pixel Tablet.

Google is bringing a strange new addition to its Pixel line of products next year: an Android tablet. Though the company has been building up to a Pixel Watch for years with back-to-back acquisitions, the Pixel Tablet seemingly came out of nowhere when it was initially teased at Google I/O in May. And during Google's hardware event for the Pixel 7, we got an even better glimpse at it.

Although the Android tablet niche is one that's struggled for a while, Google is taking an interesting approach with the Pixel Tablet. In addition to functioning as a "normal" tablet, Google is also positioning the Pixel Tablet as a dashboard for its ecosystem of smart home appliances. Google’s recent history with large-screen devices is nothing short of a mess, leading me to believe the Pixel Tablet is destined for failure. But it's also a bad idea that just might work.
A quick primer on Google Pixel tablets and computers

Read more
Google Pixel Watch vs. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: which is the Wear OS champ?
Google Pixel Watch with two different strap styles.

Google has unveiled its highly-anticipated Pixel Watch, ushering in a new era for Wear OS devices and the company’s expanding Pixel ecosystem. It’s a fitting companion to the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, which were also announced during this week’s Made by Google event, alongside a new Pixel Tablet.

While it’s encouraging to see more Wear OS smartwatches appearing, the real question is whether Google’s first smartwatch brings enough to the table to topple Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, a device that’s effectively become the gold standard of Wear OS devices. Read on as we compare their specs and features to answer that question.
Specs

Read more