gOS Cloud: browser-based OS for Netbooks

(Credit: Good OS)

Good OS, the people who brought you the Linux-based gOS found on the $199 Wal-Mart gPC last year, announced a browser-based OS called Cloud at the Netbook World Summit in Paris on Monday. (You know you've made it as a form factor when you have your very own world summit. Kudos, Netbook!)

The Cloud OS features a browser with an integrated, OS X-like dock and a Linux kernel that boots "in seconds," according to the company. The browser looks oddly similar to Google's Chrome, though no official connection between Google and gOS exists. Within the browser window resides a dock that provides quick access to a number of apps--Skype, YouTube, Google's Docs, etc.--that you can fire up without running Windows. From the dock, you can also boot to Windows.

Unlike the gOS, the Cloud OS isn't meant to replace Windows but live alongside it, similar to what Asus offers on some of its laptops and Lenovo on its IdeaPad S10 Netbook with the SplashTop app. Good OS states that Cloud "does not require additional hardware and is compatible with any operating system."

Good OS demonstrated its Cloud OS on a gigabyte touch-screen Netbook at the World Summit in Paris. The company says that such touch-screen Netbooks running the Cloud OS and Windows will be released at CES next month.

[TechnoMan475392]

Mr Elliott,
Do you think they would ever offer this as a download? Something that could be added after the fact?

[XoneDaGnome]

http://www.thinkgos.com/

[eagledrc]

That is amazing!

[Melvin_01]

Now it's the time for Linux domination!

Good bye Windows!
V = viruses
I = intruders
S = spyware
T = trojans
A = adware

Don't be so cruel to Windows, you can thank them and Apple for pretty much every feature on Linux.

[itsawhat]

Thanks for this article. I can't wait to try this.

[t8]

This sort of OS is the future.

[idfubar]

Unfortunately you still have to boot it; any bets on how long before a laptop is released which has gOS stored on a small piece of (very fast) flash memory or SSD?

[aka_tripleB]

I don't get the "excitement" around browser-based OSes. They've been around for 13 years. Anyone remember MSN TV (formally WebTV)?

[forever4now]

Web applications have evolved significantly since the time of WebTV (e.g. Gmail, Google Docs, etc.), so now, a large percentage of what "average" people do, can be done online. With always-on connections starting to become the norm with 3G, etc., this has the potential to be VERY significant.

For the people who's needs can be satisfied 100% online, they will no longer have to deal with installing/updating/upgrading/debugging Windows and dealing with viruses, spyware and all the other crap associated with Windows. The KISS principle at its best!

[forever4now]

There is also a Debian-based project called Webconverger: http://webconverger.com/

[cnet-og]

This is great!!! Just what netbooks need. No more bulky, resource-hungry Windows... After all, I suspect something like 99.999% of time on a netbook is spent surfing or on email. The 'dual boot' feature is awesome. I was considering buying a Dell Mini9 w/ Ubuntu, but was afraid to take the plunge... Now I think I'll get Windows (in case I need to use Office, etc for work) and use gOS!!!

Looks like Chrome?? That is identical to Chrome!