Chrome OS + Extensions = Windows!

Google claims that one of the advantages of Chrome OS is that it’s faster than Windows. Since the OS is nothing more than a browser, a lot of those things Windows has to load don’t need to be loaded anymore, and that’s going to translate into a faster system. While this looked like a bright idea, Google encountered a few practical obstacles: Chrome is too simple! People just couldn’t figure-out how to do the things they used to do with Windows, Firefox and a couple of plugins. Google realized all of a sudden that the cloud era wasn’t totally there and that people can’t get everything done simply with a browser.

Extensions to the rescue

So Google had to give in and have extensions plug into Chrome OS for more flexibility. Let’s take the example of the Google Toolbar on Firefox. This extension will let me directly search Google, you’ll have AutoFill and quick access to Gmail. In this regard, extensions do the same as software applications on Windows. Windows without software would be useless. You need a browser, an email client and a productivity suite to use you PC. well, extensions play the same role. Through the extension interface of the browser, plugins will give practically infinite possibilities in terms of functionality and productivity gains. Google Toolbar is just one of them, but there are tons of useful plugins that will make life easier.

Why get rid of Windows then?

If we are going to replace all those useful Windows functions by browser extensions, then we are going to end up with a system that is going to be as heavy and slow to boot. Basically, it’s not going to make sense to pay the heavy price of switching platforms unless we can have all those useful Windows function on the cloud, so we won’t need extension. And guess what, it brings us to the beginning of this post: Chrome will be too simple!