- What is Google* Chrome* OS?
- What are the key features of Chrome OS?
- How do I create applications for Chrome OS?
- How do I find software for Chrome OS?
- How does Chrome OS work with Google Sync*?
- What is the difference between a Chrome App and a Chrome Extension?
- Can I install my existing client software on Chrome OS devices?
- Can I install non-native browsers on Chrome OS?
- How is user data stored on Chrome devices?
- Which hardware platforms are supported with Chrome OS?
- Do Chrome devices support Flash*, Java*, and Silverlight*?
- How scalable is the Chrome OS software architecture across different platforms?
- Can Chrome OS run Android* apps?
- Is Chrome OS free?
- What companies are collaborating with Google to support Chrome OS?
- How do I boot my Chromebook* in developer mode?
- What’s the difference between Chrome OS and Chromium* Open Source Project?
- Where can I download Chrome OS?
- Where can I get more information about developing Chrome apps for educational or classroom use?
- Are there tools to detect memory leaks and memory corruption for Chrome OS development?
- How do I create and deploy apps to the Google Chrome Store*?
- What is the Intel® XDK?
- Where can I find more information about Intel resources on Chrome devices and Chrome OS?
Google* Chrome OS* is a lightweight operating system based on Linux* that is targeted for mobile platforms like netbooks and tablets. It is only available in combination with Chrome hardware devices and is fully maintained and regularly updated by Google over the cloud.
What are the key features of Chrome OS?
Speed, simplicity, and security are the key aspects of Chrome OS. Google designed the OS to be fast and lightweight, with the goal of starting up the system and getting onto the web in a few seconds. There is an unobtrusive user interface, and most of the user experience takes place on the web. For Chrome OS, developers incorporated the basics, completely redesigning its underlying security architecture so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware, and security updates. It just works out of the box.
How do I create applications for Chrome OS?
Systems running Chrome OS devices run web extensions and apps. A web-based management console enables users to set policies including what software will be pre-installed, what the user may view, and what will be blocked from view in the Chrome OS Web Store selection. Specific teams in an organization can create unique apps to us within the scope of that organization only. These apps can only be viewed or accessed by a select group as pre-determined by organization policy.
How do I find software for Chrome OS?
The Chrome Web Store contains thousands of uploaded applications available as standalone apps or extensions for a Chrome OS device and other devices running the Chrome browser. In addition, the Google Apps Marketplace makes top business applications available to Chrome OS devices.
How does Chrome OS work with Google Sync*?
Google Chrome OS has the native ability to sync across all Google Dashboard* information and vice versa. For example: if the user accidentally deletes a notepad entry in one Google device, it can be easily retrieved in another device under the same account. The first device recovers the lost entry once it syncs to the Google account. All shared information across Chrome browser-based devices and Chrome OS native devices can be fully in sync.
What is the difference between a Chrome App and a Chrome Extension*?
Chrome Extensions are part and parcel of the Chrome browser. They extend the Chrome browser’s functionality, but their scope is limited within the Chrome browser window. Chrome Extensions have access to the browser tabs, URL bar, etc. within the Chrome browser.
Chrome apps are full-fledged, stand-alone applications that use Chrome as a platform. Chrome apps do not get access to the URL bar and can’t access the content of web pages. Chrome apps are usually listed on the Chrome Apps Launcher (usually located at the bottom of the Chrome desktop) and also in the Apps section.
There are two types of Chrome apps: Hosted and Packaged. Hosted apps are hosted externally, are accessed using the Chrome browser, and use the Chrome Platform APIs to provide functionality beyond the web browser. Packaged apps are stand-alone downloadable binaries that can be installed in Chrome OS. Packaged apps run in their own window, separate from the OS desktop or any browser windows. This article provides more details on developing a basic Chrome app: https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/reflections-on-developing-our-first-chrome-app
Can I install my existing client software on Chrome OS devices?
No. Chrome OS-based devices cannot natively run any client applications not intended for Chrome OS. It is possible, however, to use a Chrome OS virtualization client or hypervisor to run non-Chrome OS clients in a virtual environment. For example: Citrix* Receiver is an HTML5-based virtualization client that allows applications such as the Microsoft Office* Suite and other Microsoft Windows* applications to run in a virtual machine within Chrome OS.
Can I install non-native browsers on Chrome OS?
No, it is not possible to run non-native browsers other than the Chrome browser within Chrome OS. Again, it may be possible to run non-native browsers in a virtualized environment using a hypervisor (such as the Citrix Receiver) that is written specifically for Chrome OS.
How is user data stored on Chrome devices?
Each Chrome OS device has a built-in solid state drive that locally stores user data. The user also has access to Google Drive* cloud storage. Because only a limited amount of data is stored locally, local backup is mostly unnecessary. All user settings and preferences are stored in the cloud, which makes device migration quick and easy.
Which hardware platforms are supported with Chrome OS?
Chrome OS will run on both Intel® architecture (x86) and ARM*. Google has been working with a growing list of OEM partners to fully support built-in Chrome OS out of the box. More information about the Intel-based Chrome OS devices is available on the Intel® Developer Zone: https://software.intel.com/en-us/chrome
Do Chrome OS devices support Flash*, Java*, and Silverlight*?
Chrome OS only supports Flash*. Java* and Silverlight* support may be feasible in a virtualized environment atop Chrome OS.
How scalable is the Chrome OS software architecture across different platforms?
The Chrome OS software architecture is simple. Chrome OS runs within a new windowing system on top of a Linux* kernel. The web is the platform that application developers will use. All web-based applications written to run on Chrome browser in any platform will automatically work in the browser in Chrome OS, and new applications can be written using any favorite web technologies compatible with the Chrome browser. These web applications or extensions will run not only on Chrome OS, but on any standard Chrome browser on any supported platform such as Windows*, Mac*, and Linux, thereby giving developers one of the largest user bases of any existing web platform.
Can Chrome OS run Android* apps?
At the Google I/O 2014 conference, it was announced that Chrome OS devices will also support apps from the Android ecosystem.
Chrome OS is only available in combination with Chrome OS hardware devices from Google authorized OEMs such as Chromebooks* by HP. It is not freely downloadable or available in standalone versions. Google maintains and updates the Chrome OS automatically over the cloud. For developers and users interested in tinkering with the OS, Google has created the Chromium OS. Chromium is an open-source project based on the same code base as Chrome OS but it is maintained by the open-source community. (Note: there are some known incompatibilities between the Chrome and Chromium. See What’s the difference between Chrome OS and Chromium OS).
What companies are collaborating with Google to support Chrome OS?
The Google Chrome OS team is currently working with a number of technology companies to design and build devices that deliver an extraordinary end user experience. Among others, these companies include Intel, Acer, Adobe, ASUS, Freescale, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments, and Toshiba. This list is current as of publication but is subject to change.
How do I boot my Chromebook in developer mode?
Google Chromebook can be placed in developer mode by pressing the 
+ 
+ 
keys at the same time. Then follow the instructions on the screen. For more details see the blog on the Intel Developer Zone – Chrome OS section: https://software.intel.com/en-us/blogs/2014/07/01/chrome-os-whats-developer-mode.
What’s the difference between Chrome OS and Chromium* Open Source Project?
Chromium is the open-source project, used primarily by developers, with code that is available for anyone to check out, modify, and build.
Chrome OS is the Google product that OEMs ship on Chromebooks (and other Chrome OS devices) for general consumer use.
Some specific differences:
- The two projects share the same code base, but Chrome OS has some additional firmware features, including verified boot and easy recovery, which requires corresponding hardware changes. As a result it doesn’t work in Chromium builds.
- Chrome OS runs on specially optimized hardware in order to get enhanced performance and security.
- Chromium does not auto-update (so changes you may have made to the code are not altered), whereas Chrome OS auto-updates so that users have the latest and greatest features and fixes.
- Chrome OS is supported by Google and its partners; Chromium is supported by the open-source community.
- Chrome OS includes some binary packages that are not allowed to be included in the Chromium project. For example: Adobe Flash, Netflix Instant, Google Talk, etc.
- Chrome OS has a green/yellow/red logo and Chromium OS has a blue/bluer/bluest logo.
Chromium* and Chrome* OS logos
Source: http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chromium-os-faq
Where can I download Chrome OS?
Chrome OS is not a conventional operating system that you can download or buy on a disc and install. The Chrome OS is available on Chromebooks and Chrome desktops that have Chrome OS installed by a OEM. Chrome OS is being developed to run on new machines that are specially optimized for increased security and performance. Google is working with partners and manufacturers to develop reference hardware for Chrome OS.
Where can I get more information about developing Chrome apps for educational or classroom use?
Chrome OS is being used extensively in classrooms and in many educational settings all over the world. See: Creating Chrome Apps for Education.
Are there tools to detect memory leaks and memory corruption for Chrome OS development?
Address Sanitizer Tool (ASAN) is one of many useful tools available for memory bug detection and debugging. This tool is available to all Google developers for the Chrome OS platform. This article has some examples on how to use this tool: Address Sanitizer (ASAN) Tool to Debug Memory Corruptions in Chrome OS*.
How do I create and deploy apps to the Google Chrome Store*?
Refer to this article that includes links to a tutorial and Intel® XDK tools to easily develop and deploy Chrome apps: Tutorial – Building and Deploying a Google Chrome* Web Store App.
Intel® XDK provides a simplified workflow to enable developers to easily design, debug, build, and deploy HTML5 web and hybrid apps across multiple app stores and form factor devices.
Intel XDK is an easy and fast way to get your apps to market. Here is a link to the Intel XDK site: https://software.intel.com/en-us/html5/tools
Where can I find more information about Intel resources on Chrome devices and Chrome OS?
There is a great overview, a current list of Intel®-based Chromebook devices, and many other great articles on Chrome OS in the Intel Developer Zone-Chrome OS section.
References
Intel® Developer Zone
https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/reflections-on-developing-our-first-chrome-app
https://software.intel.com/en-us/chrome
https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/creating-chrome-apps-for-education
https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/address-sanitizer-asan-tool-to-debug-memory-corruptions-in-chrome-os
https://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/tutorial-building-and-deploying-a-google-chrome-web-store-app
https://software.intel.com/en-us/html5/tools
External References
https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/ (Google Chrome Official Site)
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/07/introducing-google-chrome-os.html
https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/1290513?hl=en
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/google-chrome-logo-design-revised-16-03-2011/
http://www.chromium.org/chromium-os/chromium-os-faq