Shanghai Tech WriterTechnical Writing, Technology, Web2.0, Google, Shanghai, China

Google announced on Tuesday, July 7, 2009, the development of an operating system called Google Chrome OS that will be released later this year!

From The Official Google Blog:

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. 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. Because we’re already talking to partners about the project, and we’ll soon be working with the open source community, we wanted to share our vision now so everyone understands what we are trying to achieve.

That is exciting news! I am still excited about Google Wave that will be released later this year, but Chrome OS is even more exciting!

(Image Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/07/five-things-googles-chrome-os-will-do-for-your-netbook/)

What we know about Chrome OS:

1. It is free and open source..
2. It will be released later this year.
3. It will work on PCs and netbooks.
4. It will run on both x86 and ARM chips.
5. It will be fast and lightweight.
6. All Google software and web applications will integrate seamlessly with its OS!

I purchased an HP laptop earlier this year that came bundled with Microsoft Vista x64 and a bunch of junk applications that come typically with HP computers. I uninstalled almost everything (minus the OS) and replaced them with free, open source applications. I would have uninstalled Vista too, except I didn’t have a Windows XP installation CD. I don’t like Vista at all and had contemplated whether to upgrade to the free Windows 7 Release Candidate. However, I didn’t want to be stuck paying a hundred dollars for the official operating system if I didn’t like it.

Now that Google is releasing its own operating system, I’ll be waiting eagerly in anticipation to have an all free, open source environment on my laptop!

More articles about Google Chrome OS:

• Official Google Blog: Introducing the Google Chrome OS
• Wired: All Roads Lead to Chrome OS
• Time: Google’s Chrome: Taking Aim at Microsoft — and the iPhone
• Time: Five Things Google’s Chrome OS Will Do for Your Netbook
• CNN: Google takes on Windows with Chrome OS