Where is ChromeOS headed?

About one and a half months with my CR 48 - Thank you google - but I think that ChromeOS is not going to make it big.It is another thing that I use it daily. But I don't see ChromeOS finding too many consumers. It can but only if someone releases hardware below $100.00 for it. Otherwise it is going to go down the drain or end up as an "enthusiast" platform. Here is why:

Good old PC mind set.
We all know, people resist changes. Average PC user has learned the quirks of computer GUI with great difficulty. It will be hard to unlearn start menu, the explorer, folders and files. Then, a radical change in perspective. A perspective that of ChromeOS where you do not have any obvious explorer, no files (yes there are, but you will not see them unless you are ready to tinker with the OS) or the "start" menu. Now whatever I said in terms of Windows applies to Mac users as well - may be in a harder way because Mac users are seem to be more fanatic about the desktop operating system.

I need it and I need it in my disk.

This is again a human nature. Every one wants to "own" things. I will not settle down for the fact that my favourite songs are sitting somewhere in the "cloud", Pandora or youtube.

When I have it on a CD, I have it in my iPod, I have it in a hard disk - I own it! Oh the materialistic world we live in! But that is true. I am not satisfied with my photos that live safely some where in the cloud either - even if it is full resolution on flickr. I still need them on a DVD backup or on an external hard disk. If you already don't know, ChromeOS does not give you an interface to access a CD/iPod or an external Hard disk(at least not now). The operating environment is just not for that. You are supposed to be on the "clouds" always.

Does everyone trust google with their documents?

Well that is another question. Google suggests that you can keep all your documents, spreadsheets and presentations in online "work" softwares like the google docs. I regularly use it, and I am a big fan of it. If you do not use google docs, you are pretty much left with no option to work on documents and spreadsheets on ChromeOS. It even saves certain personal data in the "cloud". But what the skeptics think of trusting google with your data? do you feel comfortable? And note, google is just another company.

Consumers crave for an iPad than a mini notebook when thinking of a "net" device

Just to quote Steve Jobs, 2010 was the year of the iPad. Yes, no doubt about it. Though Android tables were released, none caught up. Some even died an ungraceful death (streak, I am looking at you). But when you picture a "personal post-PC" device of 21st century, it is a 'pad' rather than a 'book'.

ChromeOS netbooks are going to face fierce competition from all the pads that other companies are going to release along with Apple's revised iPads. I think it is a losing battle for ChromeOS even if someone comes up with a ChromeOS pad. It will not be compelling enough on a tablet in comparison to Android or iOS goodness.