Google to trial Chrome operating system

 Instead of the much-anticipated launch of its first-ever laptop, Google has announced a pilot scheme for what it calls “people who live on the web”.

 

The new laptop which will rely on the Chrome operating system will still be on the shelves in 2011 but now Google seems to be taking a swipe at Microsoft and the dominance of Windows.

 

The launch of Google Docs has already seen them go head to head with Microsoft’s Office software.

 

Chrome is unique as an operating system because it is built specifically for users who spend most of their computer time interacting with the internet as opposed to the more traditional Windows and Mac OSX interfaces.

 

Google’s CEO  Eric Schmidt said “We think cloud computing will define computing as we know it. Finally, there is a viable third choice for an operating system.”

 

According to  Sundar Pichai, the Head of product for Chrome the pilot programme for the operating system will be aimed squarely at users familiar with beta software, developers, and early adopters.

 

Each of the users on the pilot scheme will be issued with a ‘CR-48’ – a special, unbranded notebook.

 

Pichai said, “Chrome is nothing but the web.” But added, “This is a profound shift.”

 

He also said that the Chrome cloud programme will see Google attempting to “re-think the personal experience for the modern web.”

 

Acer and Samsung will put Chrome-enabled laptops on the market in 2011, though no prices have yet been revealed. Google said the test machines will be shipped to users “very soon”.

Pichai also stressed that security was the keystone of Chrome OS with automatic updates removing the need for users to constantly check on the latest versions.

 

“We are confident that when we ship Chrome notebooks, it will be the most secure OS ever shipped to users,” he said.