Google's (NASDAQ: GOOG) Chrome operating system could finally be arriving in May, judging by the launch of a stable developer channel for Chrome OS last week. After some delays that saw it postponed from Christmas last year, Google said that Chrome OS devices will go on sale mid-2011, a date which is fast approaching. Current speculation is that Google will formally unveil the final product at Google's I/O Conference next month.

Like it or not, the Chrome OS is probably influenced by the rapidly evolving tablet landscape, fueled by the popularity of the iPad and competing tablet devices currently flooding the market. Indeed, the BlackBerry PlayBook tablet is scheduled to hit the shelves today, and I believe it will be a strong tablet contender. Tablets compare favorably with Chrome OS by its ability to power on instantly, while also making accessing the cloud a snap. Indeed, Google recently released a tablet-friendly version of its Android OS, and is also reportedly working on a tablet version of Chrome OS.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Telegraph
- check out this article at PCWorld

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