Google’s Chrome OS cloudoperating system may be close to release, but it’s slower to launch than previous rumors suggested. (see video: What is Chrome OS?)

We reported the rumors of November launches for a Chrome OS Tablet and Chrome OS Netbooks and Smartbooks. However, during the recent Web 2.0 Summit, all that Eric Schmidt (Google CEO) would say about it was the software is coming out in the next few months.   Since that’s the case, Google has definitely missed the upcoming Christmas shopping and we won’t see Chrome OS until the beginning of 2011.

If you are curious, here’s the latest peek at the Chrome OS wallpaper and screensaver.

(Wallpaper: click to enlarge)

(Screensaver: click to see animation)

Naturally, these images could change any time before the actual release.

Some people believe that the delays in Chrome OS are due to Android being used in more and more devices. Some say that there isn’t a big demand for a cloud OS that depends entirely on web apps. For a good example of a cloud OS, see Jolicloud.

For those wanting a live preview, you can run this new OS from a USB stick by using the Chrome OS builds by Hexxeh.