So, I bumped into this "WebOS" stuff on digg, and decided to check out the latest in the area. I heard some noise in the past about Google is coming out with one but never pay much attention.

Essentially, a WebOS is a computing environment running within a web browser. User can run applications (i.e. IM, word processor) from within the "desktop". It's quite similar to many Ajax based web applications on the net right now (i.e. Writely), except that this web application/service is a desktop that allow more functions to be performed inside it. One note characteristic of the webOS is the capability to connect and access to storage like local disk, USB drive or other net-based storage like FTP and such. in addition, it is accessible from anywhere with net connection. This makes webOS very mobile as people can use it everywhere.

On the technical side, these crops of webOS seem to use technologies like Ajax for remote display, and have a server-client architecture. This means the client can be very light and reduce the need for fast, high-end hardware. It should run on most PCs these days as long as you have a relatively fast PC with connection to the net and have Firefox/IE installed. In a way, it's a thin-client computing environment for the web era, as compare to the old days when we have dumb terminal/X terminal connect to the Sun server/IBM big iron. What goes around, comes around.

I tried out some demo to see how they looks like:

YouOS - full function WebOS with build-in web broswer

Goowy - more of a pure desktop for IM, calendar. No web browser (use native platform for web surfing)

eyeOS - open source and provide the server side so one can host your own WebOS

ORCA - able to connect to FTP/POP3/Gmail and etc for storage

Xindesk

These webOS runs fairly well, with the exception of eyeOS that it chokes a few times as I seem to have a slow connection to their server. In this case, I got a script not responding warning pop up and I just ignore it to move on.

I think there are some potential issues hamper the adaption of this:
- Bandwidth, you need some decent connection to make it to work anywhere.
- Compatibility, most WebOS comes with a bunch of build-in applications like IM, web browser (BTW, why you need one when you are accessing your desktop via firefox??), and etc. But how well these apps works with each others? What if I want to run a new application X that is available for Vista?
- Storage, yes, many of these WebOS can store via FTP/POP3/dedicated remote storage/Gmail/Windows Live/local disk, but how flexible is it? what if I need 4GB for all my pictures? How safe is my data on-line?
- How does it works with other hardware on your PC. scanner? printer? USB port (to connect and upload pix from my digital camera)

So, where is the GoogleOS we are waiting for?

More reading:
XIN - a Web OS that wants to be a platform
WebOS market review
Wikipedia: Web operating system
Webified Desktop Apps vs Browser-based Apps
EyeOS - Case Study on how people are using a WebOS