Microsoft and Google compete head-to-head

A dramatic shake-up for the information-technology (IT) industry is coming. Google is promising to release an operating system (like XP or Vista) for personal computers. This represents a direct attack on Microsoft, the world’s biggest software firm.

Microsoft’s PC operating system, Windows, boasts a market share of nearly 90%. Although the firm’s empire has been showing signs of decline, it remains a dominant power. Yet industry watchers see a huge threat as the mighty internet company moves into new territory. Microsoft – THE name in computing for more than twenty years -suddenly looks very vulnerable.

Microsoft are not doomed, yet. The new system, Chrome OS, will be targeted only at net books. The idea is to provide a compact operating system that boots up in a few seconds and allows users to work securely and easily with web-based applications, such as e-mail and social networks. It will be a while before it’s a true threat to the mighty Windows.

But few will doubt that a massive change is on the way. The strategic plan must surely be to make Windows obsolete and turn the browser into the dominant ‘computing platform’.

What will Microsoft do?

Windows Vista, the latest version of its operating system, has not been a success. Its attempts to muscle into Google’s main territory, web search and online advertising, have not brought big gains. However, don’t write off the giant yet. In October, roughly when Google will make Chrome OS available, Microsoft will release the next version of its operating system, Windows 7, which is supposed to run well on netbooks. Other plans are afoot too.

So expect a dramatic and long fought out battle of the titans over the next couple of years. Hopefully we the consumers will benefit from the intense rivalry with better products and lower prices.