Good OS (or gOS if you’re hip) announced the release of Cloud, a micro Linux kernel that launches immediately into a fully functional web browser.  Cloud also includes access to commonly used tools, such as Skype and Media Player.

According to a gOS press release:

“We are excited to preview the GIGABYTE Touch-Screen Netbook with Cloud and Windows together, said a Good OS spokesperson. “With Cloud, GIGABYTE Netbooks will power on to the Internet in seconds, while still supporting killer applications together with Windows XP.”

Cloud uniquely integrates a web browser with a compressed Linux operating system kernel for immediate access to Internet, integration of browser and rich client applications, and full control of the computer from inside the browser.

Cloud isn’t a full replacement for an OS, but is aimed primarily at smaller laptops and netbooks as an alternative to waiting 5 minutes to boot Windows Vista.

Meanwhile, in a completely unrelated incident, Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, went on a mildly amusing freak-out.

Filed under: Consumer Web