Google launches Chrome OS, says Windows is 'torturing users' Part II

Google made quick mention of a partnership with VMware and Citrix to deliver browser-based access to business applications, but said no more details would be revealed until later in the day during a panel discussion on enterprise computing. How the integration with VMware and Citrix will work, and what it will cost, are questions we'll be looking to get answered.

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Thousands of users have tested Chrome OS laptops in a beta period, although more than a million applied for the free trial notebooks. Google characterized the reaction as overwhelmingly positive but acknowledged that users felt the computers should be faster, afford better access to USB devices and provide offline access to email, calendar and Google Docs.

With the June 15 launch, Google will meet all of those concerns by upgrading to Intel dual-core processors, providing the offline access to Docs, Gmail and Calendar, integrating with USB devices and SD cards, and providing a file system to view movies, pictures, documents and other files. A built-in media player will play movies and music.

Google will also provide desktop versions in a small box that connects to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, but no availability date was given.

Users will be encouraged to back up data and settings to cloud-based services -- whether they be Google services or those from the likes of Box.net -- to ensure that applications and data are available from any device and allow users to upgrade computers without a cumbersome installation process.

"We really want to make it possible for users to store their important data in the cloud and access it anytime, anywhere," said Sundar Pichai, vice president of Chrome at Google.

The success of online services shows that many users do trust their data to the cloud. Whether enough will do so to replace 75% of Windows computers is a point that will probably be debated for quite some time.

But there are clear benefits. Google says the computers start up in seconds, resume from sleep mode almost instantly and have battery life of either 6.5 hours or eight hours. On a first use, it only takes a few minutes to set the computer up.

"Each time you open the lid, before you can move your fingers and touch the keyboard, you're connected to the Web," Pichai said.

Google's Chrome OS announcements came on the second day of its annual developer conference. The first day focused on Android, Google's OS for phones and tablets. Some have doubted the viability of Chrome OS given the giant market presence of Android. Whether Google can build two successful operating systems is something we are about to find out. (See also: Android expands reach, consolidates into one platform for all devices)