Wednesday July 8, 2009
Google moves to computer OS
08 July 2009 – Google is following up the launch of its open-source operating system (OS) for mobiles - Android - with news that the firm is developing an OS for personal computers. Google Chrome OS is being perceived by industry analysts as a direct assault on the turf of software giant Microsoft, whose Windows system dominates the PC space. "Google Chrome OS is an open-source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks," noted the company in a statement. "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." Eventually the OS will also be used on other laptops and desktops. The operating system is a "natural extension" of its Chrome Internet browser, launched last year, the firm said.
Google was keen to stress that the Chrome operating system is a separate effort from Android, though, like Android, it will be open-source, meaning other developers can have access to and modify the code. "Android was designed from the beginning to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks," adds the company in a statement. "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."
A PC World report claimed that Google will later this week announce the names of computer manufacturers in Taiwan and China that have already signed on to work with its new Chrome OS. The list will reportedly be similar in style to that made for Google's Android mobile OS, on the Open Handset Alliance website.
