Does Chrome Spell The End Of Browser As Platform?

Love the bold UI / workflow approach of Chrome. It also makes complete sense for Google to make a client service play as the gatekeeper to the world’s information, though I’m not without enormous reservations here (too much power and too much control if they ever become the dominant browser). I’m wondering how the web purists crowd will take a potential kill shot to the browser as a platform (next OS) movement from their heretofore champion?

The article is probably referring to the per tab unique memory space and Google may well intend to build a “platform” to push the OS into the background. However, the implied design considerations of the chromeless UI reflects the importance and commitment to targeted experiences and that’s where runtimes like AIR / WPF shine. Google’s got the resources to forgo the RAD platforms, but most of us don’t. Much is changing in the software / platform world, but it should now be pretty clear that the desktop’s not dead yet.

*Update* After glancing through my feed reader for the first time in about 48 hours, I have to apologize for this post. Maybe I need to take some time away from the blogosphere because I’m starting to sound like all the other blowhards out there. ;-(

*Update* Rands may have taken the cake with his Chrome analysis.