Google announced today the launch of the Chrome Operating System, an extension of the Chrome browser initially intended for the fast selling netbooks.

The announcement is a major one by any definition. However, it can also be seen as the culmination of a master plan which over time had many significant milestones. The offering of Gmail, Calendar, the purchasing of Writely, the introduction of Google Gears, then Chrome & Android.

Like the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers – each element of the Google Aresenal was powerful in its own right. But stick them all together into an operating system and the total is much more powerful than the sum of its parts.One can be confident the operating system won’t end with mobiles and netbooks.

This same game plan needs to be watched in the social media space. Take Gmail, Calendar, Picassa, YouTube, add a Jaiku purchase then launch Google Wave and Google are well on their way to another behemoth.

The next issue to watch after that is when the subscription model kicks in. Others have already noticed the quiet decrease of services offered free from Google Apps, and an increase in the promotion of ‘premium packages’.  Google’s game plan here is to become the essential partner for so many services before switching on a premium model. If that happens [even at a few dollars a month] we could see the next billion come easily for Google.

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• Google Chrome OS for PCs: Look Out Windows and OS X [Google] (gizmodo.com)