Google held a small event today where they officially announced and showed off Google’s operating system adaptation of their highly successful browser – Chrome. While what they showed off isn’t anywhere near completion and is in fact Chromium OS (the difference between this and Chrome OS is exactly the same as the difference in the two browsers). We’ll get you up to date with Google’s latest innovation, and everything you’ll need to know in here.

What is it?

Simply put, it’s Linux and Chrome smashed together into an operating system. In other words, Google took the open-source operating system and modified it with a nice build of Chromium and added some functionality to it in order to optimize it as a full operating system versus a simple browser.

Google’s even provided a nice video about it, which should cover the basics.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QRO3gKj3qw)

There’s also Google’s other explanation:

“Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks" and "most of the user experience takes place on the web." That is, it's "Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel" with the web as the platform. It runs on x86 processors (like your standard Core 2 Duo) and ARM processors (like inside every mobile smartphone). Underneath lies security architecture that's completely redesigned to be virus-resistant and easy to update.”

What’s so special about this?

So we’ve all seen the three big contenders: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. This one technically fits under Linux, but it’s something different at the same time.

The image above is Google’s visual representation of what goes on when you boot an OS versus what goes on when you boot into Google’s OS. As you can see, Google is focusing on a shooter boot sequence, therefore a shorter boot time, and therefore getting the user to what they want, and fast. We’ve seen Microsoft work on this in Windows 7, first promising a sub-15 second boot, and later changing it to a sub-30 second one, but Chrome OS is even faster, which we’ll cover in just a bit.

Chrome OS also offers virtual desktops, which is like our multiple app instances, so basically just more than one window open for Chrome.

What’s really special about Chrome OS, and this is the actual purpose of it, is that it’s built for the typical user. The typical user that primarily uses the Internet. The one that really doesn’t need power and all those other apps. You could even say it’s the Wii of operating systems.

It’s fast, but how fast?

Fast. Just, fast. The live demonstration today offered us a 7 second boot to the login screen, then another 4 seconds to get to the desktop. 11 seconds. You wouldn’t even be logging into your account on Windows by that time. Some might even think: If it’s so fast, this thing must be really simple and/or crap! And that’s a good point. How exactly did they get it to be so fast?

There’s the custom firmware and optimized kernel, allowing the OS to skip a lot of hardware checks that current OS’s are forced to do. Also, the operating system itself is essentially a browser, which well, isn’t all that big. With those requirements, hardware requirements aren’t high; therefore manufacturers can sell larger “netbooks”, as in current laptop-sized computers with current netbook hardware, something many consumers would enjoy.

Wait, so where is everything?

The thing with Chrome OS is that it’s our launch into cloud computing. Almost everything you’ll be pulling onto the screen with this will be from the large cloud, commonly referred to as the Internet. Even with that fact, Chrome OS will still utilize your computer’s components that we traditionally use for our applications and gaming for just about everything inside the improved browser. And speaking of applications, all of them will be web apps, so you’ll have to use the Google Apps (which are quite nice, and we also saw a Google Wave refresh earlier, which will suit Chrome OS quite nicely), along with anything else you can find on the web, such as Microsoft’s anticipated Office Web Apps.

In case you aren’t in a place where you can get access to the web, the HTML5 functionality will store data for offline use. But if you are online, your friends can hope onto your netbook and log right into their accounts, since everything’s in the cloud.

Plus, there’s no hassle of installing or updating due to this fact, unless the OS itself receives an update.

What’s the catch?

First off: no hard-drives. Chrome OS only supports flash drives. Google is also hoping for Chrome OS to be paired with devices that are approved by them and deemed an official Google Chrome OS Device.

It doesn’t look that different from Chrome, the browser. The only difference would be the clock and two “tray icons” at the top right corner and app tabs, along with one in the top left corner that acts as a sort of “Start Menu”.

Oh, and that whole Linux thing? Linux really isn’t very much of a part in this.

Plus, Chrome OS isn’t for everyone: "If you're a lawyer, editing contracts back and forth, this will not be the right machine for you."

That’s it?

No, there’s definitely changes down the road. For example, here’s Google’s concept:

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ57xzo287U)

Where can I get it?

The completed version of Chrome OS won’t be done for another year, though you can grab the source here and give it a quick spin if you want. Be warned though, this isn’t even a beta yet, so it’s bound to have its quirks. Google Chrome OS is also intended for netbooks, but will work with desktops and laptops. Stay tuned for news about Google Chrome OS, as we will be sure to keep our eyes peeled and to inform you about it!

Update: gdgt has packaged up a VMWare image along with one suited for Virtual Box in which you can give Chrome OS a test spin. If you have an account with gdgt, go right ahead and download it. If not, they’ll guide you through setting one up. Once you’ve downloaded the image, the kind folks at Engadget have created a video outlining the install and setup process that will help get you on your feet.

Via:  [Gizmodo, Engadget, Lifehacker]