Google looks like the next thing it's going to do is take over the world. Or at least, Microsoft. I'm sure you've all heard the rumors about Google creating an operating system, but is it really happening?
I just found this screenshot of a supposedly-leaked upcoming version of GooOS. Kind of stupid, considering that the only thing different from this screenshot was a changed desktop background. So I kinda doubt that some random person of Flickr is going to have the world's newest operating system.
Anyway, if the rumors that we've been hearing are correct, it is supposed to be based on Ubuntu, which was accurately portrayed in the screenshot. However, I think it's got to have that Google touch - you know, Internet-connected, being able to store data on their server instead of your hard drive, etc, etc..
Google's got a wonderful operating system online - Google Mail, Picasa, Blogger, YouNameIt®. So that's why that screenie makes me think it's a fake. Of course, not much was shown, but if it were really Google's next operating system, it should at least show something innovative. You see, to truly be a Google operating system it must integrate its online operating system with a hard-drive based one.
This isn't just going to be one of those endless Ubuntu-modifications, folks. If it does happen, it's going to be huge. Although I don't actually like Ubuntu that much, a lot of it is that it doesn't offer me anything that can't be had by using Debian or some other *nix. If Google does it, it's definitely going to be worth seeing. They're going to add some innovation instead of an endlessly-simplified interface.
Ubuntu isn't bad, but I think it lacks creativity sometimes. You can see that the whole distro is built around making a smooth transition for switchers. Google didn't just simplify things with its search engine, it found something uniquely innovative which revolutionized the search engine. They've continued this with the huge number of online applications they've created, and evolved in a billion-dollar company.
Of course, if Goo (or whatever you want to call it) were to be based on Ubuntu, it would face many of the same problems that Ubuntu faces, such as slow updates, over-simplified interface, etc.. But I'm sure Google could, if they felt so inclined, to create an operating system at least worth trying.
Anyway, enough of me bragging about Google ;) . It might be just another rumor for all we know.