In late 2008, Google surprised the tech community by launching their own browser. Rumors swirled about the direction of the company, since this was Google’s first significant foray into building applications that run locally. What could they do in 2009 to top that? How about an entire operating system.

Google Chrome OS is built on the idea that other operating systems were designed in an era where most computing was done offline (Microsoft, Apple, are you listening?). Everybody knows the common complaints of those systems: expensive, heavy resource hogs that get slower and slower the more they’re used. Since many (if not most) common computing situations are now performed online, having a bloated operating system doesn’t always make the most sense.

The implications are clear. Google wants you running their operating system, using their browser, and accessing their online office applications (Google Docs). In keeping with their mantra "don’t be evil," Google claims there are multiple options from competitors to keep the DoJ from getting too keen on anti-trust issues. Google has clearly learned from Microsoft’s example.

Judging by the video below – this major undertaking is well under way, and if history is any indicator it will be highly polished upon full release.