I'm wondering if Google's new "Chrome OS" operating system might encourage Apple to review its no-clone position on OS-X?
Having only Windows and a gaggle of Linux distributions for consumers to choose from leaves a huge gap in the market for a well-supported, professionally supported, affordable alternative to Windows. Until now only Apple could fill it and they have elected not to do that. That's a shame for consumers and for Apple shareholders. Apple's OS-X could instantly fill that gap and just as instantly become a balancing competitor to Windows.
The OS-X operating system has long been the most-likely alternative to Windows, going all the way back to its origins in Next-Step -- except, of course, that Apple hasn't turned it loose for non-Apple machines. Unfortunately for real-world users, the Apple folks have elected to hold OS-X close as a proprietary system, only licensed to run on Apple hardware and suing to death any company that tries to get into the Apple clone business.
But the window of opportunity for Apple to decisively and exclusively fill the OS gap is slamming closed very quickly. Apple still have time to release their grip on OS-X, and to effectively take over a huge share of the small-machine operating system market but if they wait until Google's Chrome-OS arrives there is a very good chance that Apple will be permanently closed out of the market. Chrome could even take over on Apple's hardware.
Heads-up Apple. The clock was started with Google's announcement on July 8th and it is running out fast.
