It has been confirmed that Google is working on a new operating system called Google Chrome OS. Ars Technica has received confirmation from two sources that Google is working on a cloud-based, OS that could be here in the second half of 2010.
Google says the OS is open source and lightweight, allowing users super quick access to the web. They claim the OS will be virus free (the security architecture is entirely new), and run a newly-designed windowing system on top of a Linux kernel that will be compatible with x86 and ARM processors alike. Though they were quick to mention this was separate from Android, they also conceded there would be some overlap in concept and functionality between the two platforms. The Chrome OS is intended for “power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems. Like its browser brother Chrome, the Chrome OS will be speedy and is designed to start in a few seconds and all applications will also run on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Via Gizmodo Via Ars Technica and Google