Google just launched artillery deep into territories held by Microsoft and Apple by making one of the biggest announcements in its history: The reveal of Chrome OS. And in doing so, it has declared war on the traditional desktop model. 
 
 The Cr-48 Chrome Notebook will be the first official device featuring Chrome OS. Although it's only being released in a pilot program to beta testers, it's very much an emissary to consumers (Google's hopeful allies in the fight). Those of you interested in enlisting can sign up to test the device, but we're guessing selection will be — well — selective. 
 
 Not much is known about the hardware driving Google's new machine, but here is what we do know: 
 
 12-inch LCD display 
 
 Built-in Wi-Fi and 3G (service provided by Verizon Wireless) 
 
 Full-sized keyboard with no caps-lock or function keys 
 
 Oversized clickable touchpad 
 
 Weighs in at 3.8 pounds 
 
 Solid state hard drive — capacity unknown 
 
 Eight hours of active usage with a week of standby power 
 
 The Cr-48 Chrome Notebook might not be the most powerful computing device, but that's not the point. The device is intended for consumption, not raw processing power. Whether it performs as a consumption device remains to be seen, but if Google gets this right, Chrome OS notebooks could put a serious hurt on devices like the MacBook Air. ||||| We're all ears. 
 
 The Chrome operating system is a work in progress. We’re looking for the right users to try it out and tell us how we can make it better. 
 
 Each participant in the Pilot program will receive a Cr-48 Chrome notebook; in return, we'll expect you to use it regularly and send us detailed feedback. 
 
 Sound interesting? Please note: 
 
 Chrome OS is for people who live on the web. 
 
 It runs web-based applications, not legacy PC software. 
 
 The Pilot program is not for the faint of heart. 
 
 Things might not always work just right. 
 
 The Pilot program is open to individuals, businesses, schools, non-profits and developers based in the United States. Learn about Chrome notebooks for business 
 
 Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. We'll review the requests that come in and contact you if you've been selected. 
 
 Apply Now 
 

– Google is giving out free laptops—but good luck getting one. The search giant unveiled its new Chrome OS yesterday, but announced that the public wouldn’t be able to buy netbooks sporting it until the middle of next year, eWeek reports. But in the meantime, Google is running a pilot program to test the OS, giving participants a shiny new ultraportable that Mashable thinks has the potential to “put a serious hurt on devices like the MacBook Air.” The boxy black notebook, dubbed the Cr-48, doesn’t look like much, because it’s not intended for consumer release. But it weighs in at just 3.8 pounds, and Google boasts that it gets 8 hours of battery life, boots up in 10 seconds and runs cool. It also has no spinning disks, caps-lock key, or function keys. But Google will be picky about who gets one, and warns that given the bugs still lurking in the beta OS, “the pilot program is not for the faint of heart.”