Google Introduces Chrome OS

Google has introduced the Chrome Operating System, an open source, free of charge, lightweight OS that will initially be targeted at netbook computers.

“Later this year we will open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available for consumers in the second half of 2010,” a post on Google’s official blog says.

The Chrome OS is based on web applications and a Linux kernel. It runs on x86 and ARM processors and has a minimal user interface. According to Google, the OS is designed to boot up in a few seconds.

The company also explains differences between Chrome OS and their Android operating system:

“Google Chrome OS is a new project, separate from Android. Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks. Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web, and is being designed to power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.”

Google currently cooperates with companies such as Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba, to design and build Chrome-based devices.

Source | Via