I highly doubt they would switch to Chrome OS. For one, I believe they already promised backwards compatibility. You don't get that with a completely brand-new OS. Also, as mentioned in the article, part of the point of Google switching to Chrome is to improve consistency between multiple devices and not let manufacturers mess with the OS so much. OUYA is, of course, not even close to consistent with your average Android device (this is done on purpose, it's supposed to feel like a game console rather than just a smartphone in a box). In that regard, Chrome OS probably wouldn't work.
Additionally it would mean they have to drop support for some very popular game engines. Unity, for example, doesn't have native Chrome OS export. They do have Google Native Client export, but support is very limited (many very important APIs just don't work in NaCl, such as multiplayer and microphone access), and this is mainly intended for the Chrome browser anyway. I think you also might have to purchase it as an extension, I'm not sure.
In short, I think the most likely outcome is that they continue to use Android. It is the most cost effective and ubiquitous route they could take at the moment. And think of it this way: if most device manufacturers switch to Chrome while OUYA uses Android, it means we won't be seeing nearly as many smartphone game ports.
You didn't remember the plot of the Doctor Who movie because there was none; Just a bunch of plot holes strung together.
Well I mean thats true you do make a good point. Ouya OS in a matter of speaking comes from Android and is completely separate at the same time. Ouya OS doesn't need to jump to a more advanced Google OS to advance Ouya OS mostly because even if Android dies in a couple of years, Ouya OS can continue to evolve. This is the same way that Chrome OS is based on Gentoo, but isn't Gentoo, yet continues to evolve as Chrome OS. Ouya OS can continue to evolve even after people long forget Android I suppose.
Ouya is a closed console platform and the manufacturer has control over the OS and its added or removed features. I agree that they could continue with Android and it probably wouldn't make a lot of difference considering Google services and OS updates are simply non issue for this form factor.
I don't think Chrome OS would add value, unless they wanted to jump on the bandwagon as a hardware vendor and have a device that will play all the same games and apps as all other Chrome devices. Including a possible Google Console which Ouya has to be worried about...
On the wider context, it would be a very interesting move. For me, its especially 'riveting' because I've predicted that Google will effectively get rid of (or move on from) one of their operating systems.
Up to this point, I've seen Chrome OS as being in the way. However, if Google really desire control and Chrome OS is that much 'better' then perhaps the tables have turned completely... Still, I foresee issues. For a start, Chrome OS is all about web apps... Though the 'web app' has really changed over the years. In any case I think locality is still very important.
You said it. As of right now, Chrome OS has *no* value as a potential OS for a games console. Moreover, it's not meant to have value outside of its intended purpose, which is a lightweight runtime for HTML apps, with a few basic device drivers and a rudimentary file system. It's a great OS for low-cost laptops and is perfect choice for a second-machine, but it's not going to become a full-fledged OS in less than a year.
I mean, this article's claims are a little suspect, coming from an analyst with no sources, no evidence, and absolutely no understanding of the technical aspects of the two projects. He's just ranting about Android fragmentation.
But let's take it as true, just for the sake of argument. The article claims that Chrome OS will be developed into a touch-first OS, designed to replicate features of Android phones and tablets. How is that a better (or really, any different) choice for OUYA than Android is?
On top of that, Chrome OS is not an open-source project. "Chromium OS" is, but most of what makes Chrome OS interesting and unique is closed to Google. In fact, that's the point of this guys article, that vendors won't be able to modify the OS, so what good is it to OUYA?
Google will likely never replace Android with Chrome OS, mostly because that's not the point of Chrome OS. The two projects have different goals and serve different purposes.
This article sounds like it's reporting on a chef who is making a pecan pie so good that it is destined to replace cheese.
I don't think Chrome OS is that fantastic to be honest. My Mom had a Chromebook. It was fast I will give it that but any minimal Linux Distro could be and you have a bigger variety in software. For example there is no really in depth greeting card apps to make cards. I mean not for nothing but it would be better for the user IMO to use Android on netbooks, laptops and tablets than Chrome OS. For Google yeah they may benefit more from Chrome OS but at a user level, you really can't have an all encompassing user experience away from light browsing in You Tube, Facebook, etc. If you actually have needs and want to say compose music, have various graphics programs, or any other heavy duty tasks Chromebook can only really do basically stuff right now.
BTW on a side note my Mom has a laptop with Windows 7 now. Its extremely slow and for a brand new product thats kinda crazy. She keeps saying she misses her Chromebook.
pietaster
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Also, as mentioned in the article, part of the point of Google switching to Chrome is to improve consistency between multiple devices and not let manufacturers mess with the OS so much. OUYA is, of course, not even close to consistent with your average Android device (this is done on purpose, it's supposed to feel like a game console rather than just a smartphone in a box). In that regard, Chrome OS probably wouldn't work.
Additionally it would mean they have to drop support for some very popular game engines. Unity, for example, doesn't have native Chrome OS export. They do have Google Native Client export, but support is very limited (many very important APIs just don't work in NaCl, such as multiplayer and microphone access), and this is mainly intended for the Chrome browser anyway. I think you also might have to purchase it as an extension, I'm not sure.
In short, I think the most likely outcome is that they continue to use Android. It is the most cost effective and ubiquitous route they could take at the moment.
And think of it this way: if most device manufacturers switch to Chrome while OUYA uses Android, it means we won't be seeing nearly as many smartphone game ports.
You said it. As of right now, Chrome OS has *no* value as a potential OS for a games console. Moreover, it's not meant to have value outside of its intended purpose, which is a lightweight runtime for HTML apps, with a few basic device drivers and a rudimentary file system. It's a great OS for low-cost laptops and is perfect choice for a second-machine, but it's not going to become a full-fledged OS in less than a year.
I mean, this article's claims are a little suspect, coming from an analyst with no sources, no evidence, and absolutely no understanding of the technical aspects of the two projects. He's just ranting about Android fragmentation.
But let's take it as true, just for the sake of argument. The article claims that Chrome OS will be developed into a touch-first OS, designed to replicate features of Android phones and tablets. How is that a better (or really, any different) choice for OUYA than Android is?
On top of that, Chrome OS is not an open-source project. "Chromium OS" is, but most of what makes Chrome OS interesting and unique is closed to Google. In fact, that's the point of this guys article, that vendors won't be able to modify the OS, so what good is it to OUYA?
Google will likely never replace Android with Chrome OS, mostly because that's not the point of Chrome OS. The two projects have different goals and serve different purposes.
This article sounds like it's reporting on a chef who is making a pecan pie so good that it is destined to replace cheese.