Google to launch operating system.

Google is developing an operating system (OS) for personal computers, in a direct challenge to market leader Microsoft and its Windows system.

Google Chrome OS will be aimed initially at small, low-cost net books, but will eventually be used on PCs as well.

Google said net books with Chrome OS could be on sale by the middle of 2010.

"Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS," the firm said in its official blog.

The operating system, which will run on an open source license, was a "natural extension" of its Chrome browser, the firm said.

The news comes just months before Microsoft launches the latest version of its operating system, called Windows 7. 

'Back to basics'

"We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you on to the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, vice-president of product management, and Google's engineering director Linus Upson.

"We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates.

"It should just work," said Google.

Google already has an operating system for mobile phones called Android which can also be used to run on netbooks. Google Chrome OS will be aimed not just at laptops but also at desktops for those who spend a lot of time on the web.

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Microsoft Office takes to the web

Microsoft has fired its latest salvo at Google, announcing a free web-based version of its Office software.Office 2010 will include lightweight versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote when it ships next year.The new web offering will compete with Google's free online Docs suite launched three years ago. 

Last week Google took aim at Windows with news of a free operating system while in June Microsoft introduced a new search engine called Bing. 

"We believe the web has a lot to offer in terms of connectivity," Microsoft's group product manager for Office told the BBC. 

"We have over a half a billion customers worldwide and what we hear from them is that they really want the power of the web without compromise. They want collaboration without compromise. 

Office 2010 will enhance video and picture capabilities in PowerPoint.

"And what they tell us today is that going to the web often means they sacrifice fidelity, functionality and the quality of the content they care about. We knew that if and when we were ever going to bring applications into a web environment, we needed to do the hard work first because we hold such a high bar," said Mr Bryant. 

Microsoft said that 400 million customers who were Windows Live consumers would have access to the Office web applications at no cost. 

At a conference for business partners in New Orleans, Microsoft announced an early release of web apps to thousands of testers later this year. 

At the end of the year the company expects to release a proper public beta for the software and ship a final version off to PC makers in the first half of 2010.

Excel spreadsheets can now run in the browser

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Welcome

Welcome to Ifthy Online.

Well it is better to introduce myself first. I am Ifthikar Mohamed, an IT student currently pursuing studies at University Of Wolverhampton. I would like to make this blog useful to all the visitors. Will make sure that the blog is more useful, technical and funny too. The blog will mainly focus on research on IT, new technologies, IT news and some mind catching posts.

Expect the unexpected!

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