Google offers first preview of Chrome OS

• Source: Global Times
• [14:53 November 20 2009]
• Comments

Google Inc. Thursday offered the first preview of the Chrome operating system (Chrome OS), being developed by the company for people who are looking for inexpensive, lightweight computers designed for Web surfing, at the company's headquarters in Mountain View, California.

According to Google, the code of Chrome OS, which is being developed under an open-source model in which outside programmers can contribute to, is free and accessible to anyone. Google also intends to work closely with computer manufacturers to ensure they meet Chrome OS's requirements, for netbooks will have specified hardware components, such as solid-state hard drives to create the fastest experience for the new operating system.

Chrome OS represents a "fundamentally different model of computing," Google's group product manager Caesar Sengupta and engineering director Matt Papakipos wrote Thursday in an announcement on the company's blog.

Google has touted speed, simplicity and security as the key aspects of the new software, which may pose a challenge to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows, the foundation for most personal computers since the 1990s.

Also, with a low price tag, Chrome OS could potentially undercut Apple Inc.'s Mac computers.

Chrome OS netbooks will be available to people before next year's holiday season, said Google's vice president of product management Sundar Pichai.