Google has announced that the company has plans to produce an operating system to compete with Microsoft's Windows. Based on Google's Chrome web browser, Chrome OS is going to be designed for x86 and ARM architectures—in other words, most computers.

From Google:

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

The Google Chrome Operating System will initially be installed on netbooks, those cheap, small, and low-powered laptops that are used for surfing, e-mail, and word processing . The Google OS is based on opensource code and will be designed with a minimal interface in mind. Google plans on making it available in the last half of 2010.

I'm sure it will work well, and the consumers who will use it will find it worthy to use. However, I would be surprised if it makes much of a dent in grabbing marketshare from Microsoft or even Apple.

Although I'm sure it will be more stable, more secure, and less annoying than Windows, too many consumers think of Microsoft Windows as the only OS. Whenever I tell someone about Linux as a wonderful operating system, the most common response is "what's Linux and what's an operating system?" For various reasons, most consumers just take whatever OS comes with their computer and it is more than likely going to be Microsoft Windows. Its market dominance is its strongest marketing tool and gives the illusion that no other options are available. Additionally, the majority of hard-core computer geeks are already happy and content with their current OS.

It appears that Google Chrome OS is designed for only web use, e-mail, and word processing. That's fine if those are the only things you use your computer for, but most of us use our computers for photos, home videos, and games, in addition to the everyday simple tasks.

The Google OS may be successful on netbooks and tablets, but I don't see it reaching far beyond that. By the way, isn't designing an operating system based on a web browser like designing a house based on a door knob?

Additionally, Google's CEO Eric Schmidt is on Apple's Board of Directors. So now, Google is competing with Apple in the smart phone market, the browser market, and the OS market. I think it's time for Schmidt to resign from Apple's Board due to conflicting interests.