Chrome OS: First leaked pictures and specs? (Update: Scam)

Well, that didn't take long.  Not 24 hours after the bombshell announcement that Google was building a mainstream desktop OS, supposed leaked pictures and some possible specs emerge.

Update: Yep it was a scam.  But all of the info provided is very believable.  And building this shouldn't be hard for Google.

Obviously these pictures and this information wouldn't be hard to fake, but here's what the poster said anyway:

1. ChromeOS was installed on an older Acer Extensa 4620Z laptop to show how well it runs on slower hardware.
2. It took 10 minutes to install, one restart required
3. On that hardware, it went from desktop to desktop (Shutdown, startup) in 25 seconds.  That is the car equivalent to 0-60MPH-0.
4. The wizard was still being developed and is rough
5. The "Chrome Bar" looks like the blue in the center of the logo.  It acts like the Windows "Start" menu. Reboot, Programs, and Main Directory is located here.
6. There are two means of navigation.  One is "explorations", which as it sounds, is much like Windows explorer.  The other is called "Browser", which is more like a search interface like spotlight in Mac OS.
7. Chrome bar auto-hides and icons can shrink and grow like in Mac OS
8. There is an interent wizard which is "very quick"

These all seem fairly legitimate specs.  Perhaps the most interesting thing about Chome is how easy it is to imagine it  succeeding . 

Basically Google is just stripping down Linux to run super-quick with their browser and a good interface.  The hard part is making it work across all hardware and easy enough for everyday people to use it.  Google has enough smart people on board to make it happen.

Via Gizmodo

Google Chrome OS

• Analysts: Google has muscle for long battle with Windows
• SJVN: Why Chrome OS matters already
• Chrome OS will push Apple to address failings, say analysts
• The big winner from Google Chrome OS: Telcos
• Analysis: Google's Chrome OS poses long-term threat to Microsoft
• Android, Chrome OS differ over voice communications
• Google already working with PC makers on Chrome OS
• Patrick Thibodeau: Google Chrome OS: The wolf is now out of the forest
• Opinion: Five questions about Google Chrome OS