Google is developing a fast, simple and secure computeroperating system that is designed to work well on the web.
The operating system, called Google Chrome OS, is an opensource, lightweight operating system that will initially be aimed at netbookPCs.
Google plans to open-source the operating system later thisyear and expects netbooks running Google Chrome OS will be available in thesecond half of 2010.
Chrome OS is a natural extension of the Chromebrowser, designed for people "who live on the web", said a blogposting by Sundar Pichai and Linus Upson of Google.
"It's our attempt to re-think what operating systemsshould be," they said.
In a thinly veiled challenge to Microsoft, Google said theoperating systems that browsers currently run on were designed in an era whenthere was no web.
"We are designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, tostart up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," said Google.
Users of Chrome OS can also look forward to a minimal userinterface to make room for web-based interactions and a secure architecture.
"We are going back to the basics and completelyredesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don'thave to deal with viruses, malware and security updates," said Google.
Google Chrome OS is based on a Linux kernel, it will run onboth Intel and ARM chips, and is aimed at enabling all web-based applicationsto work automatically.
Google has gradually been increasing the number of itsweb-based applications, such as Gmail and Google Docs, based on premise thatthese applications will replace traditional software.
Although initially aimed at netbook users who spend most oftheir time on the web, the Chrome OS is also being designed to work onfull-size desktop PCs.
There are some areas where Chrome OS and Androidfor mobile phones and netbooks overlap, said Google, but the firm believeschoice will drive innovation.
"We have a lot of work to do, and we're definitelygoing to need a lot of help from the open source community to accomplish thisvision," said Pichai and Upson.
This story orinally appeared on Computerweekly.com
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