Google develops open-source OS

Google is developing an open-source operating system for "normal computers" (ie not smart phones, which they already have Android for), intended for netbooks.

In a post on its company blog, Google said the operating system would initially be aimed at netbooks, the compact, low-cost computers that have turned the PC world on its head. It said the open-source software, called Chrome OS, would be available in the second half of next year.

It is not clear how much work it would take for Google to turn Chrome into the central part of a full-fledged operating system. But in a recent interview, Marc Andreessen, who developed the first commercial browser and co-founded Netscape, said Chrome was already well along that path.

“Chrome is basically a modern operating system,” Mr. Andreessen said.

lol wat?

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.

Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds. The user interface is minimal to stay out of your way, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. And as we did for the Google Chrome browser, we are going back to the basics and completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. It should just work.

Google Chrome OS will run on both x86 as well as ARM chips and we are working with multiple OEMs to bring a number of netbooks to market next year. The software architecture is simple — Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel. For application developers, the web is the platform. All web-based applications will automatically work and new applications can be written using your favorite web technologies. And of course, these apps will run not only on Google Chrome OS, but on any standards-based browser on Windows, Mac and Linux thereby giving developers the largest user base of any platform.

I await the day when Google makes an operating system.

I totally called this.

The Chrome browser was an interesting idea, but the too-simple UI doesn't appeal to me. I want a menu bar! I suspect this OS will be similar - an interesting idea, but too different to achieve mainstream success. An OS using a browser as an application platform? I hope it can do more than that.

Later this year we will open-source its code

This looks extremely promising.

It should just work.

This doesn't. F'uck you and your snazzy mannerisms. Nothing "just works". OS X doesn't, linux doesn't, and neither will this.

Interesting. I want to see how Google develops an OS. Ubuntu much?

Interesting O.O
Are There any screen shots of how it looks or have they really not even started yet?
Also it sounds to boring...
I was thinking it was gunna be all futuristic like because of googles making it...
Google chrome,
In my opinion best browser yet...
Google Chrome OS,
??????

^ headache

This looks extremely promising.



This doesn't. F'uck you and your snazzy mannerisms. Nothing "just works". OS X doesn't, linux doesn't, and neither will this.

This is your opinion. OS X and Linux are both just fine, if not, superior to windows in most aspects. Windows just had a headstart on them.

This should be interesting, I wonder if it'll look just like Google Chrome's layout. The Open Source thing is a surprise too. If it runs smoothly I might try it out.

I was waiting for this to happen after GC. I'd definitely upgrade from Vista to this, if its customizable (I can't live if that blue bar from Chrome) and has more features.

It's gonna be about the same size of a failure as google chrome, only in epic proportions because its an OS. And lol whoever says a code can "Just work" is an idiot. Even hello world programs don't always work correctly.

It's gonna be about the same size of a failure as google chrome, only in epic proportions because its an OS. And lol whoever says a code can "Just work" is an idiot. Even hello world programs don't always work correctly.

Since when was Google Chrome a failure? It's been a smashing success if you look at how many people started using it.

Since when was Google Chrome a failure? It's been a smashing success if you look at how many people started using it.

I'd prefer not to use it as a "default" browser, though. I only use it when I need to listen to a live radio or develop PHP.

This is your opinion. OS X and Linux are both just fine, if not, superior to windows in most aspects. Windows just had a headstart on them.

No s'hit. I wasn't bashing any OS with that comment, nor do i think that every OS is bug ridden to the point where i can't use any of them. I was bashing google for actually thinking that they can pull this off flawlessly, because that isn't possible. It's even worse that they used that phrase because it makes them look like complete asshats.

@ Kortestanov: I love you.

Nothing just works. He's right. Hardware changes make that nearly-impossible.

But, it'll be a Linux-based OS (Debian-based), so obviously, if Linux doesn't just work, this probably will not either. However, I see it being extremely light and fast, like just about everything else they make...

*Misinformed post*

If it's better than the final product of Windows 7, I might just use it. But at this moment, I'm happily using Windows 7 and it works x10 better than Vista.

If it's better than the final product of Windows 7, I might just use it. But at this moment, I'm happily using Windows 7 and it works x10 better than Vista.

I find Windows better than other operating systems for everyday use just because every damn program in the world is written for it :/

Fails for coding though. For that I'd use Debian or Ubuntu. Wondering what niche this OS will attempt to fill.

Even if I get a netbook, this isn't going on it. This will just be another OS I play with in VirtualBox.

I find Windows better than other operating systems for everyday use just because every damn program in the world is written for it :/

Fails for coding though. For that I'd use Debian or Ubuntu. Wondering what niche this OS will attempt to fill.

It's already stated. It's going for the Notebook market, which is quite popular these years.