Chrome OS May Support "Legacy" PC Applications
Chromoting will enable access to legacy PC applications within the Chrome OS browser.
Previously it was indicated that Google's Chrome OS--the Chrome browser mounted on a customized version of Linux--would not run Microsoft Windows applications. After all, the Google OS would be completely web-driven, and not support the installation of programs within the OS to the hard drive. However, that's apparently about to change with a new feature that's currently in the works.
Called "chromoting," the feature was originally revealed by Google software engineer Gary Kačmarčík in a Google groups Chromium discussion. Unfortunately, he doesn't provide any additional details save for its eventual release, however it's speculated that chromoting will be more in tune with a VPN/sharing functionality than anything similar to Windows-based application installation. This would mean that the actual Windows-based rig would be required to stay on in order to access the programs.
"We're adding new capabilities all the time," he said. "With this functionality (unofficially named "chromoting"), Chrome OS will not only be great platform for running modern web apps, but will also enable you to access legacy PC applications right within the browser."
Mark Lunney, a Flash developer for Glue London, didn't seem too keen on the idea, especially if chromoting does actually use a remote desktop application environment to access legacy apps. "I'm struggling to see the usefulness of this," he said. "I'm not going to keep my Windows Laptop running to use programs such as the Adobe suite. My experience with virtual machines also shows that they run quite slowly--fine for cross-browser testing, but not the kind of 3D modeling and video editing software that are the main reasons I don't think I'll be able to switch to Chrome."
Kačmarčík said that the Chromium team would have more details to share on chromoting in the coming month.
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What? Hasn't Chrome been described and marketed as a cloud based Netbook operating system? This guy really thought he was going to be able to completely switch to chrome and do 3D modeling?
They run an OS based on something created in the 1960s, and call apps that run on the dominant operating system "legacy"?
That was horrible but I laughed.
But seriously. "Chromoting"? Marketing needs to give it a rest and stop attempting to make catchphrases. Do Google employees now get Chromotions?
Where does it say anything like this? They're talking about something more akin to RDP. You'd be better off porting Windows and DOS emulators to Chrome OS.
Like they wil create a new cash cow like cable tv.
who care about those cazy`s who dream to put us back
to time-sharing, compuserve and like... remenber the sixty`s
was in the past not the future.... gosh.
+1 OS
-1 000 000 for Vista and Win 7!!!
So not Photoshop, or Nero
Maybe iTunes?
Don't hold your breath....
If Chrome was meant to be an OS to run a simple standalone device like a smartphone I can understand its light webapps, but as soon as you put it on a laptop/netbook with USB ports or even install on a standard PC people will wanto edit pictures, burn onto CDs or DVDs, listen to their music and attach printers.
Sure a webapp may be available but people who have paid $685 for CS3 will feel a bit upset that compatability doesnt stretch that far.
Give the world compatability and you can own the world.