LGE developing Chrome OS devices

LG Electronics is developing digital devices running Google’s Chrome operating system in a move to reinforce its cooperative relations with the world’s largest Internet giant.

The Korean company applied on Oct. 4 for patent registration for three Chrome-based devices ― Chromedesk, Chromeone and Chromestation ― according to the Korean Intellectual Property Rights Information Service on Wednesday.

The electronics giant firm also applied for the trademarks under the same names in several other countries including Australia last week, news reports said.

An LG Electronics spokesman in Seoul said that “R&D is currently under way for the Chrome OS products.”

LG’s rivals ― Samsung Electronics, Acer, and HP ― have already released Chrome-based devices in global markets.

The LG official said the types of LG’s Chrome OS devices will be decided in consideration of the market demand.

“All possibilities are wide open regarding whether LG will develop smartphones, phablets or PCs,” he added.

LG Electronics’ move came as the Korean mobile device maker is set to introduce the Nexus 5, a reference smartphone running on Google’s Android operating system.

Hosting a Google event on Oct. 24, the Internet giant is expected to unveil its Nexus 5, an Android-operated smartphone developed by LG Electronics, the Nexus 10.2 tablet and Android 4.4 KitKat.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)