Phenquestions
Google's Chrome (Cr-48) Operating System is yet not launched in the market, but to the best, it's being compared with existing Operating Systems. Of course, if Chrome OS is going to be better, it'll take some time to beat the existing OS market of Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS. Chrome OS is even being compared with Jolicloud, before its release. The only difference is that Jolicloud can run full Linux applications while Chrome OS will only run web apps.
HP WebOS
While, on the other hand, HP, which is a giant hardware and software manufacturer, is also planning to launch its new cloud OS-based WebOS for devices. This OS was obtained as a part of HP's acquisition of Palm by paying a sum of approx. $1.3 billion, and by this estimation, we can say that HP is soon going to be a new player in the OS market also. There was also a recent announcement that the HP slate would run on WebOS. One can, therefore, like Jolicloud OS, also expect WebOS to run local applications.
WebOS threats to Chrome OS: The biggest threat to Chrome OS is that WebOS will support Smartphones, Tablets, PCs, and perhaps even printers, and HP will provide its continuous support to more devices coming out in the future. For WebOS to survive in the market, HP will have to support more and more devices and provide better application availability, which off course, will take some time to stabilize.
Google's prime aim is to launch Chrome OS for Netbooks, so HP WebOS has an advantage here. There is a rumor going around that Google will launch its Chrome OS for Tablets after its initial launch for Netbooks. Chrome OS will have support for Google Cloud services only, whereas HP WebOS will allow having a line of apps, including support to cloud services of the third parties as well.
WebOS based Products: HP WebOS will integrate with the long-awaited HP TouchPad, Pre 3 and Veer with WebOS 2.2 and WebOS 3.0 and initial experience, although HP has already released a variety of webOS in its new products.
Conclusion: Google is currently working on two different streamlines of products, i.e., Android for Tablets and Chrome OS for cloud support and Netbooks and HP with the acquisition of Palm, is now concentrating on the development of WebOS as its main OS for its mobile device product line. So, Google might have to rethink his strategy regarding Chrome OS. People may not like to have a different OS for their Netbook and Tablet. And the increasing craze of tablets might destroy the market of Netbooks.
What do you think!?
