The number of operating systems for regular desktop PCs are quite easy to count. With mobile systems it feels a bit like new operating systems appear appear all the time, and one of the latest is Google’s Chrome OS presented this summer. The Linux-based operating system will be Google’s alternative for less powerful computers like netbooks and alike where mobility and Internet access are keywords. With Linux as the core Chrome OS can easily adjust to most processor architecture but the one closest by is ARM, and especially NVIDIA’s Tegra chip.
NVIDIA’s System-On-a-Chip solution built around the ARM processor architecture has been circulating the netbook industry for some time and the General Manager for mobile markets have now revealed that it is working together with Google before the coming Chrome OS.
When chatting about supported platforms on the Tegra solution, the usual names appeared — Windows Mobile, Windows CE, and Google Android. Oh, and Google Chrome OS too.
NVIDIA believes netbooks designs will change and the very efficient ARM architecture may be a key in this development. NVIDIA says that Tegra could also offers other advantages with its support for High Definition video formats and other multimedia functionality, something Intel’s netbook platform has been struggling with from day one.
Rayfield thinks that mobile device differences generally revolve around the display, input method and connectivity. With the right operating system and hardware design, Nvidia sees Tegra as a powerful player in this space.
