Chrome OS is almost running on top of Windows

There’s no denying that Chrome has made a huge impact in the browser market. In its relatively short life span it’s grown to be not only the dominant browser, but the only browser to take on the role of an operating system altogether.

I’ve played with Chrome OS. It’s fun, it’s light and if you’re the majority of people who just live on the web anyway, it’s a great choice for a cheap computer.

What surprises me now is how much of Chrome OS is seeping into Windows.

• I’ve now got Chrome running in the background 24x7.
• Hangouts it permanently docked down in my system tray.
• Chrome Apps Launcher is down in the task bar right next to my Windows Start button.

In fact, had I not updated to Windows 8.1, it’d be the only ‘start button’ there.

It’s a clever move by Chrome. Such a deep integration with Windows will no doubt make someone’s next Chrome OS experience more familiar. So familiar that maybe the $300 price tag will start to counter-balance Microsoft Office and the fledgling Window Store.

I’m an Android and Windows guy, so Chrome OS isn’t on the horizon to join my technology eco-system, but with the course Chrome is plotting, I can definitely see it become other people’s next computer.