Google Chrome OS First Look: Google has officially taken over computers

Google's long-fabled operating system has come to fruition, well, at least is in a working state.  Today, Google released its first glimpse at Google Chrome OS, and so far, I like it.

The whole concept of Chrome OS is to have all your data in a cloud (meaning in a server being accessed from the internet) and for all your applications to be run from your web browser.  Here's what Google defines it as.

Google Chrome OS is an open source, lightweight operating system that will initially be targeted at netbooks" and "most of the user experience takes place on the web." That is, it's "Google Chrome running within a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel" with the web as the platform. It runs on x86 processors (like your standard Core 2 Duo) and ARM processors (like inside every mobile smartphone). Underneath lies security architecture that's completely redesigned to be virus-resistant and easy to update.

 That said, all Chrome OS is, is an new, expanded version of Chrome.  It will have the same tabbed interface as Chrome (according to pictures of it) and will replace the standard taskbar with these tabs.  You will be able to access your files from anywhere be using the web app
Chrome OS will also have almost no hardware requirments since all the data is stored in a cloud.  This will also make switching computers easy because all your data will be associated with your account, no with a hard drive.  Chrome OS is also based on Linux.

Now, for the downsides.  Chromes way of storing data basically puts a nail in the coffin for hard drives, but, this means that if the servers go down and all your data is lost, so is your English paper due tomorrow. Also, the fact that Chrome uses a custom kernel means you have to get a Google-approved device to run it, meaning Google will have a monopoly on machines that can ruin Chrome.

For Google's introduction of it's new Operating System see the (annoying?) video below.