Search engine Google's Chrome operating system will be in the shops by Christmas, according to one of its Aussie developers.

Glen Murphy, the Australian lead designer on Google's Chrome operating system (OS) and web browser projects, told the Sydney Morning Herald that the first Chrome computers would go on sale later this year.

Samsung, Acer, Asus, Toshiba and HP have all signed up to release products with the OS. Chrome OS is a souped up version of the Chrome web browser and will aim to shove more stuff onto the web. Murphy said the focus was on laptops but soon work would begin on adapting the OS for tablets.