IT: Chrome OS will run on various portable devices

Google will position Chrome OS as a platform for various portable devices, not just PCs.

Chrome OS is oriented towards work with web-apps and online services. Google used to say that current OS was intended, first and foremost, for mini-computers, equipped with a physical keyboard. When it comes to tablets, Google offers another operational system — Android 3.0 (Honeycomb).

However Google now says that Chrome OS was initially designed for launching on portable devices of different form-factors, including keyboard-free. In other words, OS is likely to be installed on tablets.

Still the company highlights that the first to run Chrome OS will be laptops. Chrome OS-based mini-laptops are said to be designed by Acer, ASUS, Sony and Samsung. Market will see devices with Intel processors and nVidia Tegra chips.

Bulk deliveries of Chrome OS-based computers are likely to start in the second half of 2011.