Clearly, Google’s invention machine has been running on full-throttle recently (but, really, was it ever not?), as evidenced by the recent releases of game-changing applications in progress like Wave and Sidewiki. Today marks yet another milestone for the digital darling: A developer preview of Google Chrome OS, Google’s very own operating system that follows in the design footsteps of its Chrome Web browser (released late last year).

Today’s big news isn’t the OS itself—that announcement came back in July—but rather the release of the OS’ source code, which is Linux-based. Plus, the developer preview, taking place at the Googleplex in Mountainview, California, is much anticipated by techies, all of whom are clamoring for more insights into the operation system’s potential power. Among the details leaked so far (courtesy of Robert Scoble):

• It’s based on HTML 5 standards, the latest version of the markup language used to create Web sites whose advancements include a universal video standard, which will eliminate the need for browser plug-ins like Flash.
• It will have two versions: open source and official, much like the Chrome Web browser.
• It will make computers cheaper.

But why should non-techies be excited about the coming release of Chrome OS (expected to be the 4^th quarter of 2010)? To answer that question, it’s important to first consider the importance of Chrome OS’ predecessor, the Chrome Web browser. From a communications standpoint, the Chrome marks the complete integration of social media applications directly into the browser itself. And why not? After all, most of what we use online isn’t static Web pages; it’s interactive content on dynamic, application-driven platforms (videos on YouTube, commentary via Sidewiki, photo-sharing on Facebook or Flickr, etc.). This comic book, drawn by Scott McCloud and released by Google, best summarizes the Chrome concept. Suffice it to say that it falls in line with the premise of asymmetric communications, in which social media content is part of everyone’s online experience, whether they opt-in or not. This video describes a few of its features:

Chrome OS, then, takes this integrated online experience to the next level. In developing it, Google execs sought to answer one question: What if your Web browser was your operating system? Thus is the crux of Chrome OS. This brand-new video explains more:

Google’s move to develop an operating system is smart, and not just because they’re already doing just about everything else. Indeed, having its own OS enables the company to completely own the brand experience, as opposed to relying on other systems to run their various applications. Plus, EVERYTHING is integrated into an online experience—even programs like the word processor (vis-à-vis Google Docs)—because the operating system itself is built around the browser, which is where all applications live and run.

Seeing as the Chrome OS won’t be available until late 2010, it’s hard to accurately predict its communications scope and impact, but it certainly is one more reason to keep our eye on anything and everything happening within Google’s hallowed walls.