Google shows Windows the door

[Dawg]

Google staff (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/d2f3f04e-6ccf-11df-91c8-00144feab49a.html) no longer allowed to run Windows on their desktops, and have to use linux, Macs or Chrome.
This is because of the Chinese hack but also because the new Google OS, Chrome, will compete directly with Windows, (says the report: Ya mean it won't compete with mac or linux??)

What will this mean?
The demise of Windows?
Hackers changing their attentions to other OS as they become more widely used?
Mac fanboys heads exploding because of dangerously high smugness?

[stugster]

Good on them, I say. Microsoft needs more competition.

http://images.plurk.com/5068047_cb7eddef2f29f26375e92b0b4c94befa.jpg

[MartCactus]

I don't see why Google staff stopping using windows is going to result in consumers in general moving away from it.

Windows 7 has been well received. We've been here before with the predictions of online OSes taking over and thin clients. To an extent it has happened that we use more web applications than before, but most people still want to run a full OS on their pc, be it linux, windows or mac.

As to competition, Apple seem to be about as uncompetitive as one can get. They've locked up the iphone so that you have to get Apple's permission before your app can run on it. Even apps that have been granted permission later have that withdrawn. And now they are dictating that you can't use tools like those from Adobe to write once and then deploy to multiple platforms.

This is how Apple works. During the 80s they had the best OS going. Rather than license it like windows was sold, they insisted you could only get it with overpriced Apple hardware. The result - windows ended up with 95%+ of the market.

Apple create some great products - but their obsession with preventing competition is their worst enemy.

I think the iphone will lose share to Google Android as a result, which looks great.

[sirearl]

What will this mean?
The demise of Windows?
Hackers changing their attentions to other OS as they become more widely used?
Mac fanboys heads exploding because of dangerously high smugness?

Having to put more oil in there roller skates.:|

Earl

[Bri]

Also the new IE 9 will not be supporting XP.

[Alex@Iansprint]

I think the iphone will lose share to Google Android as a result, which looks great.

I would echo that. I said it at the start, and having just bought my first Android, I can happily say I wouldn't take an iPhone over it for love nor money.

[FreelanceSoftwareDeveloper]

I don't see why Google staff stopping using windows is going to result in consumers in general moving away from it.

It won't necessarily, but it's a good marketing ploy.

It's worked on here to get people considering the options and raised awareness that Google are looking to release an OS.

[Astaroth]

Though interestingly the BBC article only stated staff had a choice of Mac OSX or Linux and didn't mention Chrome - if it is just a PR stunt they are missing out a bit

[filmsec]

This is how Apple works. During the 80s they had the best OS going. Rather than license it like windows was sold, they insisted you could only get it with overpriced Apple hardware. The result - windows ended up with 95%+ of the market.

Apple create some great products - but their obsession with preventing competition is their worst enemy.


When the New York markets closed on Wednesday, Apple was worth $222bn, Microsoft was valued at $219bn.

[cmcp]

haha, nice title.

[Subbynet]

When the New York markets closed on Wednesday, Apple was worth $222bn, Microsoft was valued at $219bn.

Yes but that didn't happen because Mac Book sales, its down to iPods and iPhones.

Plus, "worth" is a strange concept here. MS still posts more in profits than Apple, but investors think Apple is worth more...