Google Chrome OS coming in netbook pilot program

Google is starting a pilot program for netbooks that run on Chrome OS, the operating system that will compete with Microsoft Windows.

The company said Tuesday at a San Francisco news event that it is opening a test program for people to try out out the first computers free.

It also showed off some updates to the operating system, including the ability to use Web applications work offline. The company showed demos with a New York Times news application that could be used offline, as well as games.

The Chrome OS netbook, unlike netbooks on the market that run Windows, will not have a hard drive. The absence of a hard drive will make the Chrome netbooks run faster, Google saud. It also means people will be able to use only Web-based software on the netbook. For instance, Chrome netbook owners will not be able to install Microsoft Word, and will instead have to use Google Docs or another Web-based word processor.

The first batch of devices will connect to Verizon 3G wireless data service, have eight hours of battery time and feature a 12.1-inch screen. The keyboard is full-sized, but will not have a caps lock key or function keys. The caps lock key was removed to respect the etiquette of the Web, said Sundhar Pachai, vice president of product management for Google Chrome OS.

"When you play with it and hopefully use it every day, you will realize it does, in fact, work," said Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt. "You really can build everything you used to."

Interestingly, Schmidt said Google's co-founders wanted to build a browser and operating system in Google's early days but he resisted it for a long time. "Larry and Sergei absolutely were interested in being in the browser and OS business. I said no. I blocked every attempt," he said, but "They secretly hired a bunch of people who worked on the Firefox browser."

Here is where you can apply to be part of the Chrome OS netbook pilot program.

Update 2:37 p.m.

Microsoft declined to comment on the Google announcement about Chrome OS.

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