Google seemingly confirms plans to kill ChromeOS in 2034
Google seemingly confirms plans to kill ChromeOS in 2034
Google 似乎确认了在 2034 年终止 ChromeOS 的计划
We are mere days away from the launch of Googlebooks, the long-awaited Android laptops that Google hopes will compete with macOS and Windows. But what of Chromebooks? There have been hints that Google plans to sunset its web-first ChromeOS platform, and a new support page lays out some of the specifics.
距离 Googlebooks 的发布仅剩几天时间，这款备受期待的 Android 笔记本电脑被 Google 寄予厚望，旨在与 macOS 和 Windows 展开竞争。但 Chromebook 的命运又将如何？此前已有迹象表明 Google 计划淘汰其以网络为核心的 ChromeOS 平台，而一个新的支持页面披露了其中的一些细节。
The support page, spotted by 9to5Google, aims to explain the role of Googlebooks to Chrome Enterprise and Education customers. The page starts off by noting that Googlebook OS, which is Android even if Google doesn’t like to say that, will offer an enhanced experience with deeper system capabilities and lots of AI. Like Chromebooks, Googlebooks are guaranteed 10 years of software support.
该支持页面由 9to5Google 发现，旨在向 Chrome 企业版和教育版客户解释 Googlebooks 的定位。页面开头指出，Googlebook OS（尽管 Google 不愿明说，但它本质上就是 Android）将通过更深层的系统功能和大量的 AI 技术提供增强的体验。与 Chromebook 一样，Googlebooks 也保证提供 10 年的软件支持。
However, the latest Chromebook models won’t get that in the traditional way. Google’s support page says that it plans to continue ChromeOS support through “mid-2034,” so there are already devices with support windows beyond that. This 2034 timeline was previously mentioned in a court filing, so this is not something Google has just decided to do. However, putting it on a support page is different than including it on page 18 of a 30-page legal document.
然而，最新的 Chromebook 机型将不会以传统方式获得支持。Google 的支持页面称，计划将 ChromeOS 的支持期延续至“2034 年年中”，因此目前已经存在支持周期超过该时间的设备。这一 2034 年的时间表此前曾在法庭文件中被提及，所以这并非 Google 的临时起意。不过，将其公之于众在支持页面上，与将其隐藏在 30 页法律文件的第 18 页有着本质的区别。
Even if Googlebooks are aimed mainly at consumers right now, Google plans to make it a replacement for the Chromebooks used by its business and education customers. Rather than get into a Windows XP situation in which it had to keep extending update support, the support page says that Google intends to upgrade newer Chromebooks to the Googlebook OS. It doesn’t have specifics on the timeline or which models will be included, but the company does note that, in many cases, this will be a “direct migration.”
尽管 Googlebooks 目前主要面向消费者，但 Google 计划将其作为企业和教育客户所用 Chromebook 的替代品。为了避免陷入像 Windows XP 那样不得不不断延长更新支持的困境，支持页面显示 Google 打算将较新的 Chromebook 升级到 Googlebook OS。虽然页面没有提供具体的时间表或涵盖的机型，但该公司确实指出，在许多情况下，这将是一次“直接迁移”。
It’s understandable that Google doesn’t want to make this more clear—Chromebooks may not have caught on for consumers, but they’re big in schools and business. Googlebooks won’t have comparable management tools for a year or more, according to the support page. If Google is more open about ditching ChromeOS, its Chromebook business could take a dive before Googlebooks are even theoretically in a position to take over.
Google 不愿将此事说得太透是可以理解的——Chromebook 虽然在消费者市场表现平平，但在学校和企业领域却占据重要地位。根据支持页面，Googlebooks 在一年甚至更长时间内都不会具备同等的管理工具。如果 Google 过早公开放弃 ChromeOS 的意图，其 Chromebook 业务可能会在 Googlebooks 具备接管能力之前就陷入低谷。
In its public statements, Google representatives have only said that Chromebooks will continue to exist. However, this guidance certainly makes it sounds like the platform’s days are numbered. That may present issues for organizations like schools that became accustomed to getting capable, easily managed PCs for dirt cheap. As Google has explained on numerous occasions, Googlebooks are intended to be a premium product. Maybe Google’s partners will explore budget-friendly Googlebooks eventually, but the initial lineup starts at $899. It’s impossible to spend that kind of money on a Chromebook today.
在公开声明中，Google 代表仅表示 Chromebook 将继续存在。然而，这份指导文件无疑让人觉得该平台的日子已经屈指可数了。这可能会给学校等习惯于以极低价格获得功能强大且易于管理的电脑的机构带来问题。正如 Google 多次解释的那样，Googlebooks 定位为高端产品。也许 Google 的合作伙伴最终会探索经济实惠的 Googlebooks，但首发阵容的起售价高达 899 美元。在今天，花这么多钱买一台 Chromebook 是不可想象的。