ChromeOS

ChromeOS (formerly known as Chrome OS ) is an operating system developed by Google. Based on Gentoo and the Google Chrome web browser, it uses the Linux kernel and was designed to be a fast and lightweight operating system. ChromeOS runs mainly on web applications, although native applications are also supported.

Availability
ChromeOS was developed mainly for Chromebooks, as well as Chromeboxes, Chromebases and Chromebits. On 15 February 2022, a distribution of ChromeOS which can be installed on computers without ChromeOS pre-installed, ChromeOS Flex, entered early access in the Dev channel. A ChromeOS recovery image can also be installed onto a generic x86 device through unofficial means.

Chromium OS, the open-source equivalent of ChromeOS, can be compiled to run on computers other than those with ChromeOS pre-installed.

Channels
ChromeOS has four release channels: Stable, Beta, Dev, and Canary.

Stable
The Stable channel releases fully tested builds to ensure minimal bugs. It gets minor updates every two to three weeks and major updates every six weeks. It is currently at version 103.

Beta
The Beta channel releases less tested builds that are more prone to bugs. It gets minor updates every week and major updates every six weeks. It is currently at version 104.

Dev
The Dev channel releases buggy least tested builds. It gets updated once or twice a week. It is currently at version 105.

Canary
The Canary channel releases untested builds (it is bleeding-edge). It gets updated daily. It is currently at version 106 for specific devices.

ChromeOS Flex
ChromeOS Flex (previously known as CloudReady) is a variant of ChromeOS originally created by Neverware. It is intended for use on old desktops. Neverware was bought by Google in 2020, leading to its name change to ChromeOS Flex in 2022.

Chromium OS
Chromium OS is an open-source variant of ChromeOS.