After losing market share in the browser space to Google and after being shredded in the mobile phone market by Android and Apple, Microsoft is set to come under threat in the lucrative destop OS market when Google launches their new Chrome OS next month in an effort to challenge Windows.
Insiders claim that Google’s new Chrome OS will be available as a full featured version next month when the search company launches its first release candidate of the code.
The most recent build has been identified as 0.9.78.1 with Google already in advanced discussions with PC makers who are tipped to launch new notebooks and PCs using the new software early in 2011.
November 11 could be the deadline for the product, with shipping scheduled shortly thereafter, possibly within a week say insiders. This would put the release at one year after its original unveiling.
Google has already proved that it is a formidable rival for Microsoft with analysts now tipping that hardware manufacturers will adopt the Chrome OS as opposed to Windows for future tablet builds.
Analysts say that Microsoft needs only to look at the market share it lost on the browser and mobile OS market to Chrome and Android in order to understand that if Chrome OS becomes the top dog OS for tablets, Windows slates coming in 2011 will have a very tough time.
Ballmer already confirmed that Microsoft is putting the best part of its eggs for Windows slates in the Windows 8 basket.
