Earlier on last week we examined the startling similarities between Google’s Chrome OS and Jolicloud. Of-course Chrome OS hasn’t even been released yet, but I felt it more than fitting to compare the two operating systems by virtue of the purpose that they either serve or will attempt to serve in the future.

From that comparison we found it difficult to differentiate the operating systems; apart from the fact that they will look different and will be coded by two different companies (namely Google and Jolicloud). Further comments from you guys revealed something that I had overlooked an important detail; Jolicloud can run full Linux applications while Chrome OS on the other hand will only run web apps.

This then brings me to the issue at hand; in the next few weeks we will be seeing some devices running on both Chrome OS and WebOS. The question will then be; which operating system will dominate over the other and why? Indeed I know that many of you will jump to point out that WebOS is better compared with Android OS or IOS; but bare with me, I have my reasons:

WebOS threatens Chrome OS

Unlike Julicloud, WebOS is being spearheaded by a powerful hardware manufacture. HP recently purchased Palm for a sum of approximately $1.3 billion  hence they now have a vested interest in it’s success. Therefore the recent announcement that the HP Slate will run on WebOS came at no surprise. HP hopes to position their slate against Apple’s Ipad; but in this endeavour they are bound to step on Google’s toes.

There is a lot of rumour (and rightfully so) regarding Google’s intention of rolling out Chrome OS on tablets in the near future. More so, Google will attempt to release Chrome OS primarily on the netbook platform after it’s initial launch. This then pits WebOS and  Chrome OS head to head. In essence, both operating systems are being groomed to fight in the same arena. On the other hand, Android or IOS are not being groomed for the netbook market; at most they are focused on tablets. This means that they are no threat to Chrome OS’s main target market in the same way WebOS poses this threat.

Advantages that WebOS already has

Chrome OS has been the subject of mystery, folk tales and prophecies for the last year. Very little news has been leaked about it and the hype seems to have died down since Google’s initial announcement. On the other hand, WebOS seems hot on everyone’s lips. Already there are many devices on the market that run it  (mobile phones such as the Palm Pre) and consumers are already familiar with it. In addition, there is already a lot of hype about the prospective HP Slate which seems to be the most viable competitor to the IPad thus far.

Henceforth not only does WebOS have a huge customer base already and a reputation behind it; it also has a flagship product (HP Slate) which will hopefully catapult it onto the tablet market. Even so Chrome OS is currently lacking both, a year after it was first announced.

The future

It would be more than short sighted to assume that WebOS will always be a mobile phone and tablet oriented operating system; as is the same to place limitations on Google’s Chrome OS. Rather, it is more prudent to understand that the role of WebOS will soon shift into the netbook market. Afterall, HP is one of the largest netbook manufacturers hence it would make sense for them to slowly move away from linux or Windows operating systems to their own.

Will HP work with Google and it’s Chrome OS?

It is highly unlikely that HP will ever adopt Google’s Chrome OS. As mentioned thereof, Chrome OS is a direct competitor to their own offering to the market.

Hope is lost for Chrome OS?

Ofcourse not. Google has mentioned that they are already in talks with around 5 of the largest netbook manufacturers on the market. It is likely that Google is also working on releasing a Chrome OS branded netbook and/or tablet in much the same way they did with the Nexus One. Google is also a much loved brand and most of all, they have the money and channels to push a formidale advertising campaign for their new Chrome OS (in much the same way they did for the Chrome browser).

So yes, hope is not lost; despite the glimmers of hope for Chrome OS Google needs to push development of it’s operating system so that manufactures can begin to pioneer some flagship products. These will in turn reignite the hype which will launch Chrome OS as the first successful “cloud-OS”.

In the meantime, we watch the evolution of HP’s WebOS.