Google shows off Chrome

MENLO PARK, Calif., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet behemoth Google Thursday showed off for the first time the Chrome operating system it intends to debut in late 2010.

Google product manager Sundar Pichai said a key advantage of Chrome OS, which will bypass computer hard drives, will be how fast it allows computers to get onto the Internet, the Los Angeles Times reported.

In a demonstration at the company's Menlo Park, Calif., headquarters, Pichai showed how it takes less than 10 seconds for a computer to get fully online after rebooting.

Comparing it to turning on a television, he said: "You turn it on, and you should be on the Web."

Initially, it will be available only for small netbook computers using solid-state drives. Eventually, though, it could challenge Microsoft and Apple.

Pichai said Chrome aims to be simple for users when it comes to e-mail, games, playing music and videos, reading e-books and other tasks.

"We just want computers to be delightful and work," he said.

As of Thursday, Google is making the system's computer code public so software developers can start making applications that work on Chrome, the Times said.