Google announces Chrome OS

Written by Joe Martin

July 8, 2009 | 11:10

Tags: #chrome-os #netbook #operating-system #windows

Companies: #chrome #google #xandros

Google has finally unveiled the long-rumoured Chrome operating system just nine months after launching the Chrome web browser, claiming that the new Google OS will be able to compete directly with Windows and will be ready to roll out on most netbooks by the end of next year.

Unveiled on the official Google blog, Chrome OS will be a completely open-source operating system that's being very much crafted as a lightweight OS capable of running on almost any system.

"Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," says the Google blog.

"The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work."

"Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips and we are working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year. The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. For application developers, the web is the platform. All web-based applications will automatically work and new applications can be written using your favorite web technologies."

The Google team were also keen to draw a divide between Chrome OS and Android systems, saying that while Android was designed to only run on mobile devices for the most part, Chrome OS should work on any system and is targeted at those who spend most of their time on the internet.

Excited by the idea of a Google operating system, or will you stick with Windows for the games? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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