Google to challenge Microsoft's Windows with new Chrome OS

The world's biggest internet company Google is developing a personal computer operating system that will optimise the use of its Chrome browser  that could pose a challenge to the dominance of Microsoft's nearly $17-billion by revenue in operating systems.

Google, which already offers a suite of e-mail, web and other software products, said the new operating system is targeted currently at the netbook market, though it is designed for all classes of PCs - from small netbooks to full-sized desktop systems.

Google also said the new software would end many of the frustrations of users of Windows-based PCs and reports quoting Google vice president, product management Sundar Pichai and engineering director Linus Upson said in a blog post late last night the new Google Chome will feature "speed, simplicity and security.''

The company, meanwhile, has dropped the "beta" label from its Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs and Google Talk applications.

According to Google, the Google Chrome Operating System will be an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks. Later this year, Google intends to open-source its code, and netbooks running Google Chrome Operating System will be available to consumers in netbooks for consumers in the second half of 2010. Google said it was also working with other manufacturers for perfecting the software.

According to them, the Chrome operating system will be fast enough to put users on the Web in a few seconds. The user interface will also be minimal.