Google to build research center in Taiwan

Google will build a research and development center in Taiwan for its Chrome OS operating system, as part of its efforts to promote the emerging platform in business and education. Chrome senior vice president Sundar Pichai said Google will expand its manpower in the R&D center in Taipei by hiring more local engineers, Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The CNA report said that Google wants to build a new operating ecosystem with Taiwan’s original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original design manufacturers (ODMs). Pichai made the remarks at the company’s press conference at Computex Taipei. According to the CNA report, the members of the R&D center in Taiwan will discuss product features and details with Google’s global Chrome OS team. Chrome OS, an Internet-centric operating system based on Google’s Chrome Web browser, seeks to provide users with a faster and easier access to the Internet on various devices. Google is planning to launch Chrome-based notebook computers, or Chromebooks, in the middle of June. Its initial list of manufacturers includes Acer and Samsung. — TJD, GMA News