Google Planning Web Browser? 387
Kick the Donkey writes "John Dvorak has just posted a very interesting, albeit hypothetical, analysis of Google's future directions. Citing the 'unusual' hires of Rob Pike (from Bell labs), Ben Goodger, and Darin Fisher (both from Mozilla) and the acquisition of the gbrowser.com domain, Dvorak speculates that a Firefox based Google browser and Google-OS may soon be coming to a cluster near you."
Hey, look (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hey, look (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Hey, look (Score:5, Funny)
Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Informative)
Because Rob Pike was the developer of Plan 9 [bell-labs.com] at Bell Labs. His hiring by Google would imply they are looking to develop their own OS. Microsoft is trying to push in on Google's territory, so it makes perfect sense for Google to push in on Microsoft's territory.
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Insightful)
no...because he's rob pike. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:4, Funny)
Or that they just wanted a really good engineer, one who happened to be available after the meltdown of Bell Labs.
Oh wait. That's a stretch. That they would hire someone just because they were a good engineer... crazy talk.
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:2)
This browser thing must be a big news. I already got a ton of emails from friends and family about this. As if M$ is going down for good.
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:2)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:3, Interesting)
IMO, Google's shooting itself in the foot with a browser and a distro, and in a couple years we'll be seeing news releases that state that Google's abandoned those projects.
That said, I'm sure the OSS community would welcome the extra investment from google.
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:4, Insightful)
The Plan 9 guy is probably just an OS developer to improve their linux server's configuration and be a high level sys admin for the Google computer network.
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:2)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Insightful)
-kaplanfx
How Microsoft got scared (Score:3, Interesting)
An operation system by most accounts that I have heard is the program that handles devices, files & filesystem, processes(process manager), and I/O(input/output).
Processes written in JavaScript and/or a server-side language, I/O through the browser interface, files through WebDAV, and how is a web UA not an operating system? This is what scared Microsoft into adopting its anti-Netscape strategy.
Re:How Microsoft got scared (Score:3, Insightful)
OS assumes the role of a BIOS (Score:5, Interesting)
How does Firefox assign and keep track of memory? Last I checked, it used system calls, which are part of the OS.
How does Windows or Linux put your computer to sleep? Last I checked, it used ACPI calls, which are part of the BIOS. In the case of browser-as-platform, the host OS (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows, etc.) assumes the role of a BIOS. Replacing the BIOS with something a bit more powerful [linuxbios.org] could eliminate that middleman altogether.
Re:rebuttal (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:4, Insightful)
I was completely baffled as to how such a thing would fit into Google's plans. This OS idea might be an answer
I expect it to be a distribution of Linux, however, with some proprietary things overlaying it, perhaps a little like Darwin/Mac OS X.
If it happens, that is. Google certainly has enough money to make it happen, and perhaps enough hubris for a "We'll take over the world!" sort of plan.
D
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Insightful)
Even with the star power of their name, they'd get only a very small percentage of Windows users to remove windows or repartition their hard drives.
If google are going to make an OS it would be some sort of Litestep style explorer.exe / filemanager replacement for windows. Something that could be easily installed (and removed or turned off) over windows that would provide google functionality and branding, as well as advertising.
Remember, first things first, Google is an advertising company, just like the major broadcast networks. Since they value their future and reputation, they are a pretty benevolent advertising company, but an advertising company nonetheless. A google browser makes a lot of sense in that context. A google linux doesn't.
anyway, my 2 cents
Re:Why the jump to OS? (Score:5, Informative)
Page 7 of 10-Q (Page 12 of the PDF) lists the following revenue sources for the nine months ended September 30, 2004: So, out of their $2.1 billion revenue in nine months last year, just $35 million was from licencing their "very very good technology" and the other $2.1 billion was from advertising
Live USB key? (Score:2, Interesting)
Most of your stuff is on-line. Your "computer" is online + on your keychain.
They won't need to sell hardware, you won't need an OS on your computer (except for games), you won't think about virii anymore.
Of course, this is all pure speculation. OTH, John Dvorak has been right a hella-lot-mo
Dupe (mostly) (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Dupe (mostly) (Score:3, Informative)
The last Slashdot article about Google browser speculation is here [slashdot.org].
Oh no, it's EPIC ! (Score:2)
That's the start of Google Grid, and next thing you know, it's E.P.I.C. [robinsloan.com] before you know it ! [/joke mode]
Now that's just awesome (Score:2)
and next thing you know, it's E.P.I.C. before you know it !
Re:Now that's just awesome (Score:2)
Heh. My bad
No (Score:2)
Your good. Or better yet, you're good.
Teamwork!
Yes, they are (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Yes, they are (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Yes, they are (Score:2)
I can even prove it! http://switch.atdmt.com/action/apple_google_browse r_g5_powerbook [atdmt.com]
My wish... (Score:3, Interesting)
My wish... (Score:2)
Oh, and properly handle help files, dhtml, xml, mhtml, zip attachments or pretty much any other form of file known to man.
I wish... (Score:3, Interesting)
Advertising Tool? (Score:3, Insightful)
The friendly article might have hinted a possible failure of such Googled-attempts - "Think of the potential advertising revenue you can generate when you own the entire desktop environment."
The reason why I choose and stick to Firefox is its simplicity and nothingness.
And even Microsoft dare not put a single advertisement in its desktop OS.
Simply put, most people use a tool because it works, and it does only what it's meant to do. An ad-serving (albeit how intelligent it is) browser or desktop is definitely not my cup of cappuccino.
Re:Advertising Tool? (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Advertising Tool? (Score:3, Interesting)
That said, I doubt google would do something that foolish.
Re:Advertising Tool? (Score:2)
Sorry, I'd love to refute your claim in more detail, but Windows XP just popped up and said that I had to get a .NET passport.
Really, MS has advertised in its OSes since at least Win 95. Remember when MSN was going to be the AOL-killer and the world's ISP? It was on the desktop of Windows 95. IE was included in Win 98, when it was a direct Netscape competitor. Even in XP, there's not only the .NET Passport, but also the MSN integr
Google Ads (Score:2, Interesting)
I wouldn't be surprised if they found a way to provide some extra value or service to the desktop that made people feel ok about the ads.
I don't think they'll abuse the users like those free internet services of the '90's. People will still have the option to not use them.
The guys at Google are pretty smart. If they do go this route, it'll be interesting to see what happens. Also, with some serio
Re:Advertising Tool? (Score:3, Funny)
If they are planning a browser, (Score:2, Insightful)
With this guy's history... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:With this guy's history... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:With this guy's history... (Score:2)
Qwerty?
Re:With this guy's history... (Score:3, Insightful)
I clearly remember thinking he was a huge idiot when I was 13 years old, in 1988. To this day, I find him annoying. Dvorak is like Robert Cringeley but two standard deviations down the IQ scale.
Of course, I also loved "Winger" when I was 13, so I probably shouldn't throw stones.
Re:In defense of Dvorak (Score:3, Funny)
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What's with the stupid google predictions? (Score:5, Insightful)
press conclusion: "They must be doing VOIP!"
event: google hires clever browser developer
Press conclusion: "They must be doing their own browser!"
event:Google hired a plan 9 developers
press conclusion: "They must be doing their own OS!!"
What's next - google hires a plumber - the end of IT as we know it?
Re:What's with the stupid google predictions? (Score:3, Interesting)
No... It's perfectly obvious what that would mean:
http://web.media.mit.edu/~paulo/courses/howmake/m
Re:What's with the stupid google predictions? (Score:5, Funny)
Google is not developing a browser! (Score:3, Interesting)
Duh! (Score:2, Insightful)
TWW
Today ze search enginez (Score:2)
Um, nice conspiracy theory, but they're a web technology company. Predicting that they'll build new web technology isn't exactly what I'd call newz...ahem...I mean news.
New Era (Score:3, Funny)
We've entered a new era.
I think a Google browser will be excellent, and a just imagining a Google OS makes me giddy. Yup, giddy.
Ouch (Score:2)
This is such old news (Score:3, Interesting)
Is it more credible now that Slashdot's found the story?
Settle down boy (Score:5, Interesting)
Google's interest in Firefox shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. At the end of the day, 90+% of Google's users are accessing its service through the browser created and controlled by its largest competitor. Would you feel comfortable if customers had to walk through your competitor's shop to get to your own? This is really what Firefox is all about from a strategic standpoint, and this is what "it's just a browser!" naysayers are missing: he who owns the window to the web owns the web. When there's one porthole on the ship, everyone has to look through it. Firefox seeks to add more portholes to make sure people really understand what's going on outside.
If they're planning an entire OS to make codifying and searching your data easier, I can't see that happening anytime in the short-term. After all, awhile back there was a shoot-out of desktop search tools, and the Google Desktop Search wasn't top-ranked (yet).
- shadowmatter
Re:Settle down boy (Score:2)
If some things had gone differently we might be looking at a Passport.NET-based web authentication regime.
Fortunately Liberty Alliance and others ran interference and created enough FUD in the marketplace that it didn't come to pass.
The Google Platform (Score:2)
Anyway: I use the Google Desktop search to find things hiding in Outlook. It does not work with Firefox (yet) but that's cool, b/c I don't want to search my browser cache anyway.
But if you take the desktop search tool that runs in a browser, you could get away with using nothing else OS related. Sure you would use your Office Apps, your browser, your mp3 pl
Re:The Google Platform (Score:2)
No. Your Google Desktop index and copies are currently stored only on your computer. The content is not shared with Google or anyone else without your explicit permission.
2. What does Google Desktop Search do with the information on my computer?
After a successful installation, Google Desktop Search creates an index to make your email, files, chats and web history searchable. This index enables Google Desktop Search to find the in
How about browser-in-browser thin client services? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:How about browser-in-browser thin client servic (Score:2)
Which all sounds fantastic, but they could do all of that with either XUL, or XAML (if it ever shows up). In the end they may simply
Re:How about browser-in-browser thin client servic (Score:5, Interesting)
This will be the death of MS, but as other posters have said, it is scary as all hell. Google is a nice company now, but this kind of power concentrated in 1 companies hands will prove horrible for the net.
Re:How about browser-in-browser thin client servic (Score:2)
Then you can run your gmail, Goffic, Gcalender, Gcontacts, Gchat, etc. All from what may look like seperate, dedicated programs but are rich client web apps.
Re:How about browser-in-browser thin client servic (Score:2, Insightful)
Lots of people have been saying stuff like this for years. The problem is: nobody's buying it.
Any company willing to blow capital on yet another attempt at this deserves the painful financial death they'll suffer as a result.
Remember WebTV? Neither does anybody else, except those unfortunate enough to have bought one. How many
Re:How about browser-in-browser thin client servic (Score:2)
Vendor Lock-in (Score:5, Funny)
The web client is, in fact, the #1 application on the desktop these days. Literally, many people just click the "maximize" button after the browser is launched, and the web client occupies the entire surface of the screen. Off they go to read e-mail, look at porn, or cause a raucus on Slashdot by posting provocative articles.
Then, the next step for Google is to create Gunix (Google + Lunix), pronouced "goon-ix". With the Google client in place, you download Gunix and swap out M$ Window$.
Then ...
<waking up in a code sweat>
Google has a very good search engine, but I would prefer that Google stay off my desktop. I like Google just like it is -- a web site which I visit to read the latest news and to search for the best porn pictures.
The problem with Google taking over my desktop is that I would then be swapping one monopoly for another: Micro$oft. What I like about open source is the decentralization, anti-monopoly attitude of the folks behind the Free Software Foundation. This kind of environment tends to encourage programmers from all parts of the world to contribute her little bit to creating a peace of great software. No one group of developers becomes dominant like Micro$oft or eventually Google.
gbrowser.com (Score:2, Informative)
Great (Score:2)
Valid or not, it makes sense (Score:5, Insightful)
So, if you're Google, are you going to sit around with your hands in your ridiculously deep pockets and let Microsoft dictate the future growth of your business? Hell no. In fact, recent comments from MS make it clear that war has been declared.
Defensive strategies are already in the works (e.g. using AdSense to "spread" their ad revenue generation so that it doesn't depend on hits to Google proper) so, how to counterattack?
Well, Google hires smart engineers and likely equally smart business strategists who know that Firefox's success is a free trial balloon -- and it hasn't popped. Google's best move is to build a browser and challenge MS on its own turf. There's a reason Google is always in need of Windows developers [google.com] and its not just to work on the Google Toolbar.
Is Google building an OS? Who knows. But is Google building a browser? They better be.
Once again... (Score:2)
Just as I said last time [slashdot.org] the idea of a Google OS was brought up, there is no reason for Google to start it's own OS when it has everything running in a way that is platform-agnostic to begin with.
Google is above the OS wars.
Re:Once again... (Score:2)
Re:Once again... (Score:3, Insightful)
PROOF: Direct Link (Score:2, Funny)
It MUST be true!
not that kind of browser? (Score:2, Interesting)
Maybe they aren't building a web browser. Google is in the information organization sector. (you may argue they are in the ad business, but that business is dependent upon their core business of analyzing data). The more logical conclusion in my opinion is if they are building a "gbrowser" that it's a file system browser application. Something that arranges info better than Microsofts Windows Explorer thingie.
Just m
the gbrowser. (Score:2, Interesting)
- they registered a domain (gbrowser.com)
- they are hiring people who worked on IE at Microsoft (there's an interview with a MS employee about that at NYTimes)
- they hired the man behind the success of Firefox
- they hired numerous people that worked on Netscape
- Fritz Schneider a Google employee (software engineer) is fixing bugs on Mozilla (https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=253 7 59)
And I accidently found that
Coming soon (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Coming soon (Score:2, Funny)
hmm (Score:5, Interesting)
Has Google done anything new? Not really. Much like the early Microsoft, they simply take existing ideas and improve them. Google wasn't the first search engine. They weren't the first webmail provider. They weren't the first web site that searched Usenet (in MS fashion, they bought deja). Even Picasa, which they bought, is being transformed into a PC version of iPhoto.
Based on their past history, it wouldn't surpise me if they were to boldly attack Microsoft on browser, OS or even on an Office-type product.
Google was the first to present a useful search (Score:2, Informative)
Before the google search engine, the best we had was keyword index based lookups. Google blew the rest of the search engines out of the water with pagerank and the sheer genius of indexing by linked popularity.
Perhaps not a new idea in the world of scientific papers (where the number of papers referencing yours is the primary success indicator) but certainly a new idea when applied to the web.
If you don't think that counts as "new", then I challenge you to come up with a single example of something new
Another Possibility... (Score:2)
...might be that, rather than a full-blown OS, Google is looking into building the next generation of information storage and retrieval. If they were to take a standards-based browser with a platform for plugins and add that to their current search and store technologies, they could create any number of tools. Want a data mining app? GMine! Need an executive dashboard app? GDash! How about a POS terminal? GCash! I'm betting dev for such projects would be wicked quick, too.
Then again, they may just want to
Why!? (Score:2)
In other news: Apple has released a compact version of their G4-based Macs called the Mini!
Bill Gate's just made a $750m charitable donation!
OH! and there's rumors of an XM/Sirius Satellite Radio merger.
merger.....ahemm...
Dvorak is a moron! (Score:2, Insightful)
Google Office? (Score:4, Interesting)
Consider that XUL has a lot of the capabilities that let users get a good UI in browsers. Consider also that Google already has zillions of hefty servers dotted around. If they extended XUL as required and created e.g. GoogleWord, GoogleExcel and GooglePoint, users could create and store their docs in a secured, always-there backend similar to that used by Gmail. Imagine logging into Gmail and having all your documents stored with your email, labelled (as for Gmail messages) into one or more categories and searchable - I can see that being very attractive for many people.
Yep, there's obviously a few bits missing:
- MS Office document compatibility (but is that such an issue if Google can change user's work habits such that people exchange pointers to GoogleOffice docs rather than the docs themselves? Maybe all they need is an MS Office import/export facility, which reads/writes docs in MS' published XML format from a server located in a country that is suitably patent-free...)
- something to allow documents to be embedded within other documents (wonder what percentage of MS Office users actually use this)
- XUL would need beefing up in terms of capability
- 100 others...
Still, given Google's deep pockets, I don't see these issues as insurmountable. Given that (IMHO) 90% of MS Office users only ever use 10% of MS Office's functionality, a sort-of WordPad on steroids may be enough to get a critical mass of people to switch to using GoogleWord provided they solve other MS-Office-centric issues such as document management on PCs, viruses/spyware and so on.
zerg (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:zerg (Score:4, Funny)
This could be the last step in world domination... (Score:3, Interesting)
Course there are other nice things you could do like define your own request types for pulling meta-data, etc.
Let's face it. Google is in the position that Micro$oft has been in for a while, only in the web space as opposed to the OS space. (Case in Point [google.com]) They could finally convince people to get on board the semantic express
If Google just sticks to their motto, they'll be fine.
Dvorak should be ignored. He's losing it. (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:gmini (Score:2)
I predict that they never will, since Gmini is a product sold by these guys [archos.com]
Re:Wish we would see XMPP based IM (Score:2)
That would be great, but I don't really see any indication of it happening soon. Google seems to be geared towards search solutions (even Gmail has a great search tool).
What I would like to see is Google make their own Jabber client and set up their own public Jabber servers and call it "Google Messenger". It's hard to convert people to Jabber because they've never heard of it and Yahoo, MSN, ICQ, etc work fine for them. The "Google" name carries a lot more weight though and we might be able to start movi
Re:Forget about Google you guys. (Score:3, Interesting)
That's dead on. I mean the things that Google has done that are direct privacy violations in the last couple of years should have taken the shine right off them. Yet look how brightly they glow in a large percentage of the
How many hundreds or thousands of people here gladly gave up any semblance of email privacy to sign up for GMail, who have also unthoughtful
Re:Forget about Google you guys. (Score:5, Insightful)
The real question is, who do you trust with that information? Google has worked hard to build trust.
Re:Nope. (Score:3, Funny)
Feel free to keep your eyes closed then.
I for one welcome our new google browser overlords.