Google's Chrome OS has been in the pipeline for a while, but we've heard very little about when we might start to see the software shipping on actual PCs. If the latest buzz is to be believed, it could be a lot sooner than we think, and the search-giant might be leading the charge with an own-brand device.
The rumour comes - as so many do - from Taiwanese news-source Digitimes and suggests that a number of hardware manufacturers are preparing to launch Chrome-powered netbooks in the coming weeks. This includes Acer and HP, who are both expected to launch products in December, while ASUS is currently observing the market.
More interesting, though, is the suggestion that the search-giant will launch the first ARM-powered netbook under its own branding in November, in a similar strategy to that which it took with the Android-powered Nexus One.
The biggest benefit of this approach will be entering the market with a high-profile device backed by the company responsible for the platform. The Google branding should guarantee a lot of media coverage as well as interest among members of the public.
Chrome OS is, of course, the browser-based environment that integrates all of the features and functions of an operating system into a simple tab-based interface. Though it's built on a Linux kernel, the UI will look a lot like the company's browser and the majority of the platform will be web-based.
Obviously Linux based netbooks have struggled to find their footing in the past, but if there's one company that can convince people to run the open-source OS on their consumer devices, it's Google.
