El Reg is claiming that Google is planning a version of Linux for the desktop, thus taking on Microsoft in its core business. Jason Calacanis is claiming “I told you so” over this. But we are cautious, as ever.

Google isn’t a software company and has other fish to fry: IPTV and person-specific advertising for starters.

However, we are not always psychic, so here’s what The Register has to say:

A version of the increasingly popular Ubuntu desktop Linux distribution, based on Debian and the Gnome desktop, it is known internally as “Goobuntu”. Google has confirmed it is working on a desktop linux project called Goobuntu, but declined to supply further details, including what the project is for. … It could be for wider deployments on the company’s own desktops, as an alternative to Microsoft, but still for internal use only. But it’s possible Google plans to distribute it to the general public, as a free alternative to Windows.

Here at Google Future we are super-sceptical over this. We may be wrong. If you know better, let us know.