It seems like news is beginning to pick up regarding Google’s upcoming Chrome OS. Over the last week there have been rumours that over 75,000 Chrome OS netbooks are already being produced in Taiwan and will be launched by year end. Well, it seems like at least two of the devices may have already been identified.

Techcrunch explains that references to mysterious devices codenamed ‘Mario’ and ‘Andretti’ have been popping up in the Chromium OS Dev forums over the last two months. It has been rumoured that Google employees are already using a dogfood device internally just to test out and develop Chrome OS. Of-course this would not be the first time Google has done this hence it gives some weight to the story. MG Seigler (Auther) explains why he feels his discovery is worth noting:

But given the number of references to “Mario” and “Andretti” machines, I’m thinking these may be the nicknames that Google has given to their dogfood Chrome OS devices that they mean to release next month. The names didn’t start appears in the logs until mid-October, and since then, references have increased in the reports.

Below are some screenshots provided by Techcrunch which show various referances to these two mysterious devices:

Why ‘Andretti’?

Techcrunch explains why they believe Google may have chosen the code-name ‘Andretti’ for their super secret Chrome OS device:

For non-IndyCar fans, Andretti is basically the Michael Jordan of the sport. He’s often referenced as the fastest driver on the planet. And that’s important because Google has made it very clear that perhaps the main key to their Chrome OS netbooks is that they must be fast. They must boot in seconds. Basically, instantly. They must be like Mario Andretti.

Things are beginning to look up; these new glimmers of hope for Chrome OS making it to the market sooner that anticipated (especially after Schmidt’s recent comments) will come as a relief for most. We will keep you posted on the latest news as it develops.

Via: Techcrunch