Google is announcing a plan to build an operating system that is responding to the demand of faster, constant connection, more user friendly personal computers.

Chrome OS is destined to be available for free with purchases of little laptops, or netbooks as people downsize.

In Google's view,the consumer want to be able to get to their email instantly, have computers that do not bog down over time with downloading software to run programs. People are keen on having their data available to them whenever and wherever they are. Chrome OS is positioning to avoid the necessity configuring for new hardware or getting software updates. Chrome OS is building to protect all data, making backing up information redundant.

Pretty tall order for a system that is going to based on the Linux operating system which has been less than optimal.

Something to consider, so far Google Chrome OS has no local software. As yet browsers cannot accomplish downloading music, pictures, get views of the world. So, there will be some interesting creative technology work to get these kind of functions moved into Web sites.

Some pretty marketing will have to convince savvy consumers to take a second look at this novel product Google is proposing, Chrome OS.

Windows and Apple both charge the consumer additional fees for the use of their systems to operate computers. These fees have been acceptable because the brands of these two companies have built.

Windows and Apple have marketed products that delivered what was promised. They have responded to their niche market demands.

Windows and Apple have made their name worth paying for.

“Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS,” said Sundar Pichai, vice president of product management, and Linus Upson, engineering director, in a post on a company blog. “We’re designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the Web in a few seconds.” Google Plans a PC Operating System by Miguel Helft and Ashlee Vance

In the downturn of the economy, the tiny laptops are the hot commodity in the market over declining sales of PCs.

These netbooks provide Google an opportunity for a direct challenge to Microsoft. The early access to the Chrome in 2008 has give a community of users a good opportunity to test out how well the system interacts with Web programs.Many enhancements have been made to the features of the system, like running applications without Internet connection. There may be a little buzz around this technology.

Google is branded as a company that is determined to make the best of the lowering costs of computing hardware, how to maximize the use of open source software. Google operates efficiently with huge data centers. So basically Google drives down costs by offering services for free, using ad income to generate cash flow.

This strategy had worked thus far, but, is Google missing an opportunity to build it's brand out with this new project?