First announced in July, Google Chrome OS will be a lightweight computer operating system that will initially target mobile devices and most significantly includes a new windowing system.
The move promises to ratchet up the rivalry between Google and Microsoft, which has controlled the PC operating systems market for 15 years.
Speed, simplicity and security are believed to be the foundations for Google Chrome OS. It will become available two years after Google launched its familiar Chrome browser, which is already regularly used by more than 30m people.
Being awarded the media business for the coveted Google Chrome OS is a major coup for OMD, it is not known if they had to pitch for the business.
OMD referred calls to the client. No one from Google was available for comment.
Microsoft has already announced its latest software Windows 7 will be available from Thursday (22 October), and it is possible Google plans to coincide any announcement of its new operating system with the launch.
Announcing the new operating system, a Google statement read: "We designed Google Chrome for people who live on the web - searching for information, checking email, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends.
"However, the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web. So today, we're announcing a new project that's a natural extension of Google Chrome - the Google Chrome Operating System. It's our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be."
Google Chrome OS will be separate from Google's existing mobile software Android, which became available in the UK with the T-Mobile G1 handset last Christmas.
Android was designed to work across a variety of devices from phones to set-top boxes to netbooks while Google Chrome OS is being created for people who spend most of their time on the web and can power computers ranging from small netbooks to full-size desktop systems.
Google added: "While there are areas where Google Chrome OS and Android overlap, we believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google.
"We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear - computers need to get better."




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