Google previewed Chrome OS, a new operating system based on Linux and the Chrome browser. It's very early on, as there's not even a beta available for it, but it seems pretty exciting. The OS runs within a Chrome browser. The idea is to provide an OS for people who just get on the internet, it boots up in about 10 seconds, has no file system, and no installing of apps. The OS can detect USB devices like external drives, or smartphones and uses a notepad which can create Google Docs documents. Web apps can be launched from persistent app panels and things like Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Hulu, and others can be minimized to "panels" and run in the background. Google is very up front in saying that Chrome OS is focused on very clear use for people who primarily use the web and they are not at all trying to "do everything".
Google has talked details on a launch but they say that "by this time next year" it will be available and it won't run on just any device – there are going to be some specific hardware requirements. For example, the biggest thing is that Chrome OS won't run on anything other than solid-state drives. This means you will have to have a "Chrome approved device" which is an interesting move by Google. But since the thing is open source, there can potentially be many different hacks that allow it to be installed on anything.
For more info, check out the coverage on Engadget.com:
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