[GTPodcast]

One tech columnist wrote recently that he thought that ChromeOS would be hurt by the fact that there's no way to administer an iOS device on it. This is especially true considering that Google's targets for ChromeBook sales are, at least initially, the business and education markets. Students love their iPods, and businessmen increasingly use iPhones and iPads.

So I wonder - how much do you think this will hurt ChromeOS devices in the marketplace? Do you think a solution can be come up with for it?

 

[6sigma]

The concept behind the ChromeOS/Chromebook is 180 degrees opposite iOS. An example: from the beginning iTunes has been a heavy (i.e. intrusive) downloaded app that takes significant overhead to check for updates and "operate in the background" of a traditional PC. Only recently have we begun to hear rumors of a future iTunes operating solely in "the cloud." Add to that the administration required to move an iTunes music collection from an old PC to a new one and you have another example of how the traditional local app differs from "the cloud." I would consider freedom from administering iOS a feature rather than a flaw, at least for those who no longer want to have to deal with "managing a PC."

My $0.02.

 

[Bling-Bling]

I agree - I think it will be a feature. I like this whole in "the cloud" concept. I won't have to worry about reinstalling anything to another computer.

 

[GTPodcast]

The concept behind the ChromeOS/Chromebook is 180 degrees opposite iOS. An example: from the beginning iTunes has been a heavy (i.e. intrusive) downloaded app that takes significant overhead to check for updates and "operate in the background" of a traditional PC. Only recently have we begun to hear rumors of a future iTunes operating solely in "the cloud." Add to that the administration required to move an iTunes music collection from an old PC to a new one and you have another example of how the traditional local app differs from "the cloud." I would consider freedom from administering iOS a feature rather than a flaw, at least for those who no longer want to have to deal with "managing a PC."

My $0.02.

Well, sure, but that's not quite exactly what I meant. What I meant is that I can't currently download any music to my iPod, sync or apply system updated for my iPhone or iPad, and so on, using a ChromeOS machine. And it' not just iOS devices - I can't even put music on a Nano or Shuffle from a Chromebook. That's going to be a major stumbling block for a lot of people in buying a ChromeOS machine.

 

[6sigma]

Well, sure, but that's not quite exactly what I meant. What I meant is that I can't currently download any music to my iPod, sync or apply system updated for my iPhone or iPad, and so on, using a ChromeOS machine. And it' not just iOS devices - I can't even put music on a Nano or Shuffle from a Chromebook. That's going to be a major stumbling block for a lot of people in buying a ChromeOS machine.

That's understood. The fault in those problems rests with another company's architectural decision that now requires its products be connected to some traditional computing device to manage music files (and other stuff). Those proprietary, closed systems are not Google's approach with this new paradigm.

 

[JoshWVS]

I can definitely see it as being a huge issue. Especially as I wouldn't assume Apple is planning on developing an iTunes "web app." I've forgotten about my iPod touch ever since my Android phone though, so doesn't really affect me.

 

[6sigma]

...I wouldn't assume Apple is planning on developing an iTunes "web app."

It will be interesting to see what Apple's announcement of iCloud involves next Monday. The days of having to own one device (a PC or Mac) to fully use, update and maintain another (a phone, an iPod, etc.) is going away with cloud-based storage.

My $0.02 (and maybe not worth that)

 

[Clinquant]

I agree, 6sigma. In the beginning, that was all fine and good, but I am pretty sure they have been working on making it easier to manage all of the "gadgets".