Google to produce PC operating system

SAN FRANCISCO, July 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet company Google says it is moving to challenge software giant Microsoft by introducing its own personal computer operating system.

The company announced Tuesday its system will provide an alternative to Microsoft's Windows operating system and will be based on its Chrome Web browser, The Financial Times reported.

Google officials said the Chrome OS will be available from "multiple" computer hardware makers starting in the second half of the year and will work for all types of PCs, "from small netbooks to full-sized desktop systems," the newspaper said.

The company said its new operating system will be an improvement over Windows in several respects, reportedly resolving its slow start-ups and vulnerability to viruses.

The Times said Google's move into PC operating systems is part of a progression from its core Internet search engine technology into software, which has long been Microsoft's turf. Google has produced a suite of Web-based software to rival Microsoft Office, and its Chrome browser is designed as an alternative to Internet Explorer.