Google throws down its rubbery gauntlet

What is it about our industry that turns lovable, people-focused startups into evil monoliths bent on world domination?

Will Google, having seduced us with their genius, begin to shift their focus from our hearts to our wallets?

I’m actually a huge fan of Google and the countless cool things they’ve done. I will happily give them the benefit of every doubt. But last Friday they gave the world a sneak peek of their Chrome OS. That’s when my inner cynic started to get a little feisty with my inner optimist.

There’s no denying the idea of Chrome OS. It’s a netbook minus Microsoft, a device with tiny storage and huge potential. It will put your all your files and applications in the cloud, accessible anytime, anywhere, virus-free. That’s all good. It’s the rest of the story that starts sounding a little dark.

Chrome is a browser. Chrome OS is a browser-based OS. But it comes with a catch: you can’t install it on any ol’ netbook. The only way you can get it is to buy a pre-loaded netbook from one of Google’s partners, who will then write a check to Google. Even the ever-benevolent Microsoft lets you buy Windows and load it into the device of your choosing.

So it seems that Google is getting ready to try on the evil emperor’s new clothes. We’ll see how that fits.

Lack of device freedom aside, Chrome OS really is a step toward a future that makes a hell of a lot of sense. We may have grown used to the status quo, but it’s insanity for tens of millions to pony up for powerfully equipped machines, buy personal storage, maintain personal apps, worry about security/viruses and manage their own backups. Future generations will be amazed that we could waste resources and duplicate efforts on such a massive scale.

So I do think Google is working with the right roadmap. I just hope they won’t be tempted by that detour marked “get rich and enslave mankind.”