Chrome OS Could Debut Tomorrow

A little more than a year ago, Internet giant Google announced a new operating system that promised to revolutionize the way in which we use our computers and complete our day-to-day tasks.  This operating system, entitled Chrome OS was supposed to build upon the success of Google’s Chrome web browser in order to create a full-fledged desktop operating system with a special emphasis on a relatively untouched territory – cloud computing for the masses.

However, what started as a ground-breaking and eye-catching concept became less and less promising as time progressed, and soon became all but a a distant memory.  More recently, though, Chrome OS seems to have rebounded and has begun to be portrayed as a versatile embedded operating system, despite more recent worries that it would fail in the over-saturated netbook market.  However, come tomorrow all bets will be off and the much-anticipated Chrome OS will possibly be debuted.

Three days ago, Engadget was tipped off by multiple sources that Google was going to hold a Chrome “event” on December 7th, in which they would discuss the future of the rapidly growing platform.  With the subsequent announcement that a Chrome App Store would debut on the same day, it quickly became evident that the December 7th announcement was in regards to Chrome OS, and not simply the web browser.

As the date of the expected announcement quickly approached, Google confirmed the event, all but sealing the deal that Chrome OS is to be a reality come Tuesday.

One of the things that is expected to come out of the announcement is a Google-branded netbook, of course sporting the shiny new Chrome OS.  Personally, I have to side with Jeff’s previous conclusion that a Chrome-based netbook will not take off.  However, I am still anxious to see the finishing touches that Google has implemented into Chrome OS – the features that have been in the works for over a year and are supposed to change the way we as a society compute.

Having said this, the device is really of little significance on its own; the operating system and the revolution that it is expected to bring is honestly a bigger concern.  This sense of anticipation is only fueled by comments such as those by Linus Upson, the vice president of engineering with the Chrome project who recently made a statement that Chrome OS could easily steal the OS marketshare (currently held by Microsoft Windows) and quickly replace 60% of Windows-based PCs.  A bold statement such as this definitely leads me to believe that Google has something up their sleeves, and that Chrome OS will really pack a punch when the release day comes around – be it tomorrow or in the future.

So what do you think?  Do you think that Chrome OS will be announced on Tuesday?  If so, what do you think will come out of the announcement?  Let us know in the comments!