gOS 2.0 "Rocket" To Blast Off Next Week

We've just been notified that gOS 2.0 will be released next week at the 2008 Consumer Electronic Show. This Linux distribution started making news two months ago as the conceptual Google Operating System and shipping on a sub-$200 (USD) Everex PC. This distribution is very easy to use and features integration with popular Web 2.0 services such as YouTube, Google Calendar, and Google Maps. This next gOS release, codenamed "Rocket", adds a few features and more Google love. Accompanying this release will also be a gOS Software Developer Kit.

While gOS is really about online desktop integration, gOS 2.0 "Rocket" features Google Gears, which provides online-offline synchronization of web applications using their JavaScript API. Google Gears is currently in beta. When online, gOS 2.0 also provides access to using an online storage drive powered by Box.net. Adding to the changes are also desktop shortcuts for Google Reader, Google Talk, and Google Finance.

gOS 2.0 also features gBooth, which is a browser-based web camera application. If you are looking for gPC peripherals, Ezonics has also inked a deal to produce the gCam, which is designed to be a web camera for gOS / gBooth. Ezonics' CEO, Liu Ping, had stated that the gCam is just the first of many Linux friendly, cloud devices. The Ezonics gCam will be available starting next Monday.

While we have yet to see gOS Rocket first hand, it's reported that this update will include support for virtual desktops, Adobe Flash 9, and an updated Exalt WiFi manager. gOS uses the Enlightenment E17 desktop and is based upon Ubuntu 7.10.

gOS 2.0 and the Rocket Developer Kit will be released on Monday, January 7 at 11:30AM PST. Like the current gOS release, Rocket will be available for download from their website and can be found on a new VIA-based PC launching next week. In February, Everex will be launching their low-cost CloudBook, gPC, gPC mini, and gBook with gOS 2.0. We will be reporting live from the Las Vegas launch of gOS 2.0 "Rocket" on Monday.