Chrome OS: Google to Build Its Own Operating System
In the official Google blog, VP of product management Sundar Pichai and engineering director Linus Upson announce plans to develop a Google Chrome OS.
Operating systems that run on browsers today often come from the pre-Web era, such is the basis behind Google's step. Chrome OS should be resource-sensitive and user friendly, faster, easier to operate and more secure, among the core goals. The idea is to "start up and get you onto the Web in a few seconds," with a miminal yet intuitive user interface. Netbooks with x86 or ARM processors count among the first hardware platforms, with desktops soon to follow. Chrome OS thereby distinguishes itself from Android, which is primarily geared to mobile phones and portable devices. The second half of 2010 should begin showing preinstalled Chrome OS on devices, with the source code opened later this year. Google is negotiating with still unnamed OEMs for release to market, with further announcements to the community.
The blog indicates, "The software architecture is simple (...) Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel." Google will not be relying on X11, but will develop its own window management. The Web is the primary development platform for Chrome OS and existing Web applications should run out-of-the-box. The Chrome OS name is key: the OS is the browser. Applications written for Chrome OS should nonetheless still run on standard browsers on Windows, Mac and Linux.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.
-
ZorinOS 17.1 Released, Includes Improved Windows App Support
If you need or desire to run Windows applications on Linux, there's one distribution intent on making that easier for you and its new release further improves that feature.
-
Linux Market Share Surpasses 4% for the First Time
Look out Windows and macOS, Linux is on the rise and has even topped ChromeOS to become the fourth most widely used OS around the globe.
-
KDE’s Plasma 6 Officially Available
KDE’s Plasma 6.0 "Megarelease" has happened, and it's brimming with new features, polish, and performance.
-
Latest Version of Tails Unleashed
Tails 6.0 is based on Debian 12 and includes GNOME 43.
-
KDE Announces New Slimbook V with Plenty of Power and KDE’s Plasma 6
If you're a fan of KDE Plasma, you'll be thrilled to hear they've announced a new Slimbook with an AMD CPU and the latest version of KDE Plasma desktop.
-
Monthly Sponsorship Includes Early Access to elementary OS 8
If you want to get a glimpse of what's in the pipeline for elementary OS 8, just set up a monthly sponsorship to help fund its continued existence.
-
DebConf24 to be Held in South Korea
Busan will be the location of the latest DebConf running July 28 through August 4