What is Google Chrome?

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Google Chrome is one of the most famous and globally used web browsers in today's era. It is a cross-platform browser developed and launched in September 2008. Initially, it was released exclusively for Windows but later made adaptable for Linux, MacOS, iOS and Android. Chrome is designed and scripted using different programming languages such as C, C++, Java, JavaScript and Python.

It is freeware available to everyone for download and use. It is a FOSS (Free and open-source software), and hence total transparency is maintained regarding its source code. Anyone willing to modify, use or study the source code is more than welcome.

Why has Chrome gained popularity?

Chrome gained popularity because of its features, which overcome most of the browsing problems. It offers features such as bookmarks and setting synchronization, enables syncing via linking Google account, helps maintain security through passwords management, malware blocking, etc. It also offers privacy by its Incognito Mode, where the browsing is not tracked or shown in history. Chrome browser has a Task Manager of its own that allows you to see the memory and CPU usage of each tab/plug-in. You can open it by clicking Shift-Esc from within Chrome.

The ease of use and hustle-free fast browsing offers by Google Chrome makes it the most loved browser over the web owning around 68% of worldwide Browser market Share on PCs. Extensions are another facility which is of great use to expand the usage of Chrome. Thus, it is an easy to use, rapid and secure browser to use.

What is Chrome OS?

Chrome OS is an operating system available on internet and it is designed by Google itself. Chrome OS is based upon the Linux- kernel technology. Linux- Kernel is an open-source OS and operates on a large scale of working devices having internet connection. The user interface used by Chrome OS is Google Chrome, and initially, it was acquired from Chromium OS, which was also free of cost.

The project of the development of Chrome OS was declared in the year 2009 in July. It was planned to be designed so data from both ends, i.e., User and Application, would be stored on the Cloud. It means that it would essentially run web applications. The very first device to operate with Chrome OS as its operating system was the Chromebook. Chromebook is a netbook that is an inexpensive small laptop with limited functionality and used to access the web. It launched in May 2011 and was mainly shipped by brands like Samsung and Acer.

Initially, it only supported Chrome apps, but since the year 2004, android applications have also been allowed for the OS. It has a consolidated file manager and media player. Along with such developments, Project Crostini was also released as a part of Chrome OS 69's Stable version. After this release, Chrome OS started supporting Linux terminals and applications.

Chrome OS was scripted using different programming languages like C, C++, JavaScript, HTML5, Python and Rust and its kernel type is monolithic.

The idea to create Chrome OS was taken from Web centric trend of computing that is being followed since the 1990s. Conventional operating systems require a lot of work in terms of time and storage complexity. Managing and securing the OS, along with keeping it updated and handling its drivers, is a handful of jobs. Chrome OS remodels this conventional design of the existing operating systems. Overall, Chrome OS is developed over open-source Linux- Kernal technology combined with Google Chrome, a media player and file manager.

Features of Chrome OS

Chrome OS possesses some unique attributes that are discussed below:

• Easy Setup- It is very easy to set up Chromebook or switch to it if a person has been using Chrome apps such as Google Docs, Google Photos, and Google Drive etc. The user only has to log in on browser to access it.
• Intelligent Search- One can search almost anything on their Chromebook device with the strength of Google. Whether it is exploring the files, applications or web history, all of this can be done very conveniently with the click of the Search button on your keyboard.
• Super Sync- The characteristic of sync via Google Chrome is expanded in the Chrome OS. The OS keeps a record of the active tabs, remembered passwords, bookmarks and searches by synching it continuously during the active period.
• Less Storage Requirement- Chrome OS is designed to work on Cloud computing technology where data from both ends, the sender (user) and the receiver (application), is stored in the Cloud.
• Rapid Response- Even while handling multiple tabs or streaming HD videos, Chrome OS's response rate is very quick, and it does not keep you waiting.
• Automated Updates- Chrome OS does not require any whole time or space to run the updating process. The user is always using the most updated version of the OS without hindering the current workflow.
• Layered Security- Chrome OS offers a very secure environment to work on. It offers multiple layers of security by using measures such as:
  1. Google Security chip- It encrypts the most valuable data on your Chromebook.
  2. Sandboxing technique- It is used to differentiate the important functions from the normal ones. It provides exclusiveness to the important functions and helps secure them from virus attacks.
  3. Safe sharing- Even if you share the same system, you can still have your own space and storage because Chrome OS allows multiple accounts.