Google confirms Chrome operating system to launch late next year

by Jennifer Whitehead, Brand Republic 20-Nov-09, 14:30

LONDON - Google has released the open source code for its operating system Google Chrome OS, paving the way for third parties to contribute to its development.

The Chrome operating system is based on the Google Chrome web browser, which is gaining popularity because of its reputation for being fast. It will be offered for free, unlike Microsoft's Windows and Apple's Snow Leopard operating systems.

Google Chrome OS is due to be available in the last quarter of 2010, and aims to replicate Chrome's success as a fast, stable experience.

Google said the system would start up and reboot within seconds, that it would run all its applications on the web to avoid users needing to download programmes and updates, and that it would be harder for viruses to affect its running.

Sundar Pichai, vice-president of product management, said: "With Google Chrome OS, we've made computing faster, easier and safer than ever before. While we still have a long way to go, we are excited by the progress we have made so far and look forward to developing the technology in the open with the help of the open source community."