TALK about vapourware. Google lifted the lid on its new operating system, Chrome OS, for an all-new range of small computers the other day. But if you want one, you'll have to be patient, as Chrome OS won't be available until the end of next year.
GOOGLE has unveiled an initial version of its Chrome operating system for personal computers as it seeks to revolutionise the way people access the internet and challenge the might of Microsoft.
The Google Chrome OS, technical details of which will be released for web developers, is another free product from the internet search giant as it uses its massive resources to break into new technology sectors. The web-based operating system will be designed to run initially on small netbook computers but will be rolled out for all types of personal computers, posing a significant challenge to the dominance of Microsoft's Windows franchise in the software market.
Google signaled its intention to launch the Chrome OS last July following the successful launch of its Chrome web browser - a program which acts as a platform for users to access web pages. The Chrome OS will build on the Chrome browser's claimed strengths of speed and simplicity to provide users with a new way of using personal computers to connect to the internet. Google's aim is to do away with a computing system that acts as an intermediary between the user and the web as Windows and other traditional operating systems do.
Eric Schmidt, Google chief executive, told The Times last month: "The reason Chrome is so important is that it fundamentally changes the way you think about computing. The web has become far richer in terms of the information you can access and the applications you can use."
Google believes operating systems like Windows were designed in an era where there was no web. Instead the Chrome OS will act as a simplified platform, much like a browser does, for users to run web applications like email. The software will be open-source and will be available for computer makers for free. Google hopes software developers will embrace the new operating system and create an eco-system of new programs taking advantage of it.
Analysts expect the advent of Chrome OS to shake up the operating system market as computer manufacturers look to satisfy the growing demand for lightweight, inexpensive machines with a free OS. Google is already in talks with ASUS, Hewlett-Packard, Acer and Lenovo, among others.
The launch of Chrome OS is another sign of Google's emergence from the recession in confident mood. It returned to the big acquisition trail earlier this month with the all-share purchase of AdMob, a leading mobile advertising company, and the company has reopened its hiring program.
The Chrome browser, a project once dismissed by Mr Schmidt, is another example of the company's desire to push beyond its core search business and disrupt competitors. Chrome now has 30 million active users and while the browser trails a long way behind market leaders Internet Explorer and Firefox, it is growing faster than its rivals.
The difference with Google is that all the products are free or open-source, given away on the basis that "any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the internet", according to Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management.
GOOGLE has unveiled an initial version of its Chrome operating system for personal computers as it seeks to revolutionise the way people access the internet and challenge the might of Microsoft.
The Google Chrome OS, technical details of which will be released for web developers, is another free product from the internet search giant as it uses its massive resources to break into new technology sectors. The web-based operating system will be designed to run initially on small netbook computers but will be rolled out for all types of personal computers, posing a significant challenge to the dominance of Microsoft's Windows franchise in the software market.
Google signaled its intention to launch the Chrome OS last July following the successful launch of its Chrome web browser - a program which acts as a platform for users to access web pages. The Chrome OS will build on the Chrome browser's claimed strengths of speed and simplicity to provide users with a new way of using personal computers to connect to the internet. Google's aim is to do away with a computing system that acts as an intermediary between the user and the web as Windows and other traditional operating systems do.
Eric Schmidt, Google chief executive, told The Times last month: "The reason Chrome is so important is that it fundamentally changes the way you think about computing. The web has become far richer in terms of the information you can access and the applications you can use."
Google believes operating systems like Windows were designed in an era where there was no web. Instead the Chrome OS will act as a simplified platform, much like a browser does, for users to run web applications like email. The software will be open-source and will be available for computer makers for free. Google hopes software developers will embrace the new operating system and create an eco-system of new programs taking advantage of it.
Analysts expect the advent of Chrome OS to shake up the operating system market as computer manufacturers look to satisfy the growing demand for lightweight, inexpensive machines with a free OS. Google is already in talks with ASUS, Hewlett-Packard, Acer and Lenovo, among others.
The launch of Chrome OS is another sign of Google's emergence from the recession in confident mood. It returned to the big acquisition trail earlier this month with the all-share purchase of AdMob, a leading mobile advertising company, and the company has reopened its hiring program.
The Chrome browser, a project once dismissed by Mr Schmidt, is another example of the company's desire to push beyond its core search business and disrupt competitors. Chrome now has 30 million active users and while the browser trails a long way behind market leaders Internet Explorer and Firefox, it is growing faster than its rivals.
The difference with Google is that all the products are free or open-source, given away on the basis that "any time our users have a better computing experience, Google benefits as well by having happier users who are more likely to spend time on the internet", according to Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management.
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