Cloud: A new browser-based OS for netbooks

By Matt Elliott on 02 December 2008, 11:03am

Good OS, the people who brought you the Linux-based gOS, announced a browser-based OS called Cloud at the Netbook World Summit in Paris on Monday. (You know you've made it as a form factor when you have your very own world summit. Way to go, netbook!)

The Cloud OS features a browser with an integrated, OS X-like dock and a Linux kernel that boots in seconds, according to the company. The browser looks oddly similar to Google's Chrome, though no official connection between Google and gOS exists. Within the browser window resides a dock that provides quick access to a number of apps -- Skype, YouTube, Google's Docs, etc. -- that you can fire up without running Windows. From the dock, you can also boot to Windows.

Unlike the gOS, the Cloud OS isn't meant to replace Windows but live alongside it, similar to what Asus offers on some of its laptops and Lenovo on its IdeaPad S10 netbook with the SplashTop app. Good OS states that Cloud "does not require additional hardware and is compatible with any operating system."

Good OS demonstrated its Cloud OS on a gigabyte touch-screen netbook at the World Summit in Paris. The company says that such touch-screen netbooks running the Cloud OS and Windows will be released at CES next month.