Based on the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution, Jolicloud will also support better-quality video and Web integration on netbooks than other Linux operating systems, Tariq Krim, Jolicloud's CEO, told Computerworld.

The OS earlier this month from a Computerworld reviewer, despite being in alpha stage.

Jolicloud is expected to go into final beta by the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in early January, and is expected to be finalized sometime early next year, Krim said.

While Krim says Jolicloud shares Google's "Web approach," it also lets users run applications such as Skype locally, and store data on their machines if they are afraid of Google's spying eyes. "People don't want an advertising algorithm that goes into their files," Krim said.

Jolicloud will be free, with optional features and services offered for a fee. And, like Google's Chrome OS netbooks, will offer very fast boot times. "With the latest Linux kernel release, everyone will be able to offer a 10-second boot," he said.