Google Chrome OS promises web-based netbook platform by late 2010

08 July 2009 by Chris Davies

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Yes

+6 [6 votes]

Google have announced their latest project, Google Chrome OS, an open-source platform for x86 and ARM based netbooks, notebooks and computers. Building on their existing Chrome browser, Google Chrome OS is tipped to load and be internet-ready in seconds, be inherently secure from viruses and malware, and present no issues with hardware or software updates. Chrome OS has at its heart a Linux kernel, with Chrome running within a new windowing system.

google_chrome

Google Chrome OS will first appear on netbooks in the second-half of 2010, with the search giant apparently already in talks with manufacturers regarding distribution. Prior to that, however, they will make Chrome OS open-source later on in 2009, allowing developers to get to grips with the platform.

Since most of the user experience will take place on the web, with users interacting with web-apps, developers will be able to use existing coding skills to create software that not only runs on Google Chrome OS but any standards-based cross-platform browser. As for Android, that remains a going concern for Google, with the company suggesting that “choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google” in the areas where the two platforms overlap.

Join the Discussion (6 comments)

gpo1

07-08-2009 04:15 AM

Would this GoS run on andriod?
gbk1

07-08-2009 10:40 AM

Can't wait to play around with more Google stuff, maybe a sync for the Android devices in this operating system!
The Maestro

07-08-2009 09:57 PM

I approve of this.
deserttopping

07-08-2009 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpo1

Would this GoS run on andriod?

from what i read, it isn't android. it's linux-based, but different.
Chris Davies

07-10-2009 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deserttopping

from what i read, it isn't android. it's linux-based, but different.

Yes, it's a Linux kernel that hides behind the Chrome browser. Everything is carried out within that browser, so webapps are used rather than local software and storage is predominantly cloud-based. HTML5 - as demonstrated here - is used for offline access.

It'll be good for anybody who, as Google say, "live in the browser", but enterprise users and those wanting true Microsoft Office access probably won't be so impressed.

Chris
johnkzin

07-21-2009 02:41 PM

For me, Chrome sounds interesting, but their lack of local/native apps bothers me some. If the Chrome OS has the ability to run something like Java applications (not web applets, but local applications, kinda like Dalvik), and/or just run actual Android-Dalvik applications, then I could be interested.

If it can be used like a splashtop OS (ie. just run Chrome OS for basics, and then hit a �boot my regular OS� to run beefier/regular applications), then I�d be interested in that.

Add in the touch screen UI, screen rotation abilities, and possibly 3G support, and I�d love to see this on a convertible tablet netbook (like the EeePC T91 or T101) that has built-in 3G. That would be AWESOME.

Though, at that point, it�s kind of �Android with a different browser, and a slightly different user interface�. That would be ok with me. But, without those things (Java and/or Dalvik, splashtop OS capabilities, touch screen UI, screen rotation, possibly 3G), I doubt I�d be very interested.