It’s been anticipated for quite some time that Google would be announcing further details of Chrome OS at I/O early next month. What those “further details” might be, however, has been a matter for vast – sometimes wild – speculation. While some have feared that I/O may not be released until the end of the year, others have continued to repeat the “mid-2011” line, and others still have hoped for an early release. That last crowd may actually be in luck, as Chrome OS’s new “Stable” channel may indicate a sooner-rather-than-later release.
The two versions of Chrome OS available previously were the “Beta” and “Developer” channels, which were designed for use in Google’s testing programs and programming, respectively. Adding a stable release is generally a sign that beta testing is coming to a close, and while the release pattern varies, it’s not unheard of for a full version to be released just a few weeks after a stable version becomes visible.
Sadly, a stable version or even an early-May release doesn’t mean that Chrome OS is coming to the masses. After all, the Google operating system will only be available on pre-approved devices, and early testing of the publicly released versions of Chrome OS indicate that most systems simply won’t be compatible. Still, for those interested in buying their own Chromebook, the Stable channel represents a glimmering light at the end of the tunnel. And, as I’ve said previously, things will become far more clear at Google I/O on May 10th and 11th.
[via TG Daily]
