Chrome OS for cellphones?

Google may be considering bringing a version of its upcoming, web-based Chrome OS or another variant of a web-based platform to cellphones, if a speech by the company's VP of engineering, Vic Gundotra, is any indication. Gundotra, speaking at the Mobilebeat 2009 Conference on July 16th, said web applications will be closely linked to successful cellphone operating systems.

Although Gundotra never mentioned Chrome OS by name, few other projects by the company would apply; Android already exists for smartphones but is much more dependent on native apps. Coding applications to web standards and leaving data confined to the Internet is efficient when distributed on a large scale, he argued, although it requires users to have data plans for access.

"Steve Jobs had it right when he said 'build for the web.' But timing was an issue," Gundotra said.

Web browsers and standards are advancing to levels that will for very powerful and capable applications, he added. Whether Chrome OS will replace Android or somehow be integrated into it in the future is unknown, though its creator has acknowledged that the two are somewhat similar underneath.

Thus far, PC makers Acer and Dell are linked to the operating system in their netbooks, notebooks, desktops or nettops. [via Gizmodo]

By Electronista Staff