Google delays Chrome OS until 'first half of 2011'

by Steven Mostyn - Dec 8 2010, 05:42

Google has this week announced that its much talked about Chrome operating system (OS) won’t be ready for widespread circulation until some time during the first half of 2011—at which point it will be initially offered on Acer and Samsung computers.

 “We’re not done yet, but Chrome OS is at a stage where we need feedback from real users. Some of the features of Chrome OS require new hardware, but we didn’t want to sell pre-beta computers,” outlined Linus Upson, vice president of Engineering, in an official blog post.

“Instead we’re launching a pilot program where we will give test notebooks to qualified users, developers, schools and businesses,” he added. “We’re starting with the U.S. and will expand to other countries once we get the necessary certifications.”

According to Google, its test notebooks are relatively bland, brand-free computers equipped with 12.1-inch screens, full-sized keyboards, built-in touchpads, integrated Verizon 3G connectivity, eight hours of battery life, and around eight days of standby time.

Initially expected to arrive during the summer of 2010, Google’s Chrome OS is expected to vastly improve computer boot times, general performance, and associated security thanks to being built much in the same way as its streamlined Chrome browser—which is presently being used by 120 million people.

If you’d like to participate in the Google Chrome OS pilot program, learn more by visiting the Chrome notebook website.

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