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Difference Between Android OS and Chrome OS

Android OS vs Chrome OS

Android OS and Chrome OS are two operating systems from the same Google. Why Google has released two OS, what is the purpose, where Android OS is used and where Chrome OS is used and how do they differ is a question among many. This article is intended to clarify those doubts.

What is ANDROID OS?

Android OS is one of the best selling mobile phone platforms in the world, it is basically a software package which includes the operating system, middleware and the key applications. There are about 1,50,000 applications available for Android OS and this number is increasing at a fast speed. The modified Linux kernel is the base of the Android OS’s mobile operating system. Initially the software was developed by the Android OS Inc which was founded in 2003 but the developer was later purchased by Google in 2005, after which the alliance of Google and Open handset alliance accelerated its development. From the initial release of the Android software to the market a number of Android OS updates and series of versions have been released. The most recent versions are Android 2.2 (Froyo), Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), Android 3.0 (Honeycomb).  Android OS can also be used on other portable devices such as tablets. Android 3.0(Honeycomb) is exclusively for tablet PCs. There are a lot of applications which are also written using Java, such as email applications, browsers, sms applications, maps etc.

What is CHROME OS?

Chrome OS is also a product of Google. It is also a linux based operating system specially developed to work exclusively with web applications. Chrome OS is built from a version of UBUNTU, which is also an operating system designed primarily for desktop use only, however the notebook and server versions of Ubuntu are also available. The Chrome OS is basically an operating system in which there will be no conventional applications only web applications will be provided, there will be no need to install or update the applications as in other operating systems. It will basically integrate the web applications into the operating system and they will seem like the native applications of the system. Simplicity, speed and security are the three main aspects of this product. Basically the access to native operating system resources will be very strong. In December 2010 the Google announced the CR48 laptop which is a hardware design to test the chrome operating system, the Chrome OS is expected to be released in 2011. As expected it will be an extremely light OS, the chrome notebooks will be able to boot in under 15 seconds and resume from sleep instantly.

Moreover it will be extremely secure product providing the best security against viruses and malware from accessing your data.

Difference between ANDROID OS and CHROME OS

• ANDROID OS is a software stack for mobile devices such as phones and tablets. CHROME OS is designed specifically to work with the web applications on notebooks especially.

• ANDROID OS is used by the different companies on their products. CHROME OS will only be provided for specific hardware provided by Google’s manufacturing partners.

• ANDROID OS supports conventional applications of mobile devices. CHROME OS will only feature the web applications.

• Unlike ANDROID OS whose versions are released with additional applications, the CHROME OS is expected to be patched for improvement, so there will be no need to wait for the next version.

• ANDROID OS applications have to be installed locally on the device whereas as claimed by Google the CHROME OS will not allow the installation of applications locally as it runs only web applications.