Google Will Announce Operating System Tomorrow

From the NY Times:

In a direct challenge to Microsoft, Google announced late Tuesday that it is developing an operating system for PCs based on its Chrome Web browser...

In a post on its company blog, Google said the operating system would initially be aimed at netbooks, the compact, low-cost computers that have turned the PC world on its head. It said the open-source software, called Chrome OS, would be available in the second half of next year.

“Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS,” the blog post said. “We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the Web in a few seconds.”...

In an unusual move, Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, has worked on developing a Linux-based operating system called Moblin as well.

I don't know the details yet, I don't know that almost anyone does, but the reality is Google appears to be finally introducing an open source operating system and their tradition has been to support Linux. Intel is also developing their own Linux based operating system called Moblin. (It can boot up in ~5 seconds and looks really cool.)

Just don't be surprised, between Ubuntu, Red Hat, Intel and Google, if Linux really starts taking off in the next year or so. Furthermore, don't be surprised if the future is an open sourced one, with Linux leading the way.