In a disclosure which hints at Internet search giant Google's foray into the much-in-vogue `Touch' computing arena, reports in China Times have revealed that the company is working on a touch-enabled Chromebook.

Going by the China Times reports, Google is getting ready to release its own branded 12.85-inch Chrome OS touch-based notebook - or a `touchscreen Chromebook,' as it can be described - which will come with an electronic stylus. The reports are somewhat substantiated by the fact that the Chromium website clearly mentions that Google's Chrome OS engineers are exploring tablets and a touchscreen user interface.

Google's decision to come up with its own branded touchscreen Chromebook is a notable one, especially in the wake of the fact that the company's existing devices in the Chromebook line are manufactured by other renowned computer manufacturers, like Samsung and Acer.

As per the China Times reports, while electronics manufacturer Wintek has bagged a touchscreen contract with Google, the Google-branded touchscreen Chromebook will be assembled by Taiwanese manufacturer Compal Electronics.

Revealing that Google has placed an order for 20 million Chrome OS touch-based notebooks with Compal, the China Times reports said that the shipment of the Google-branded touchscreen Chromebooks by Compal will likely begin by the end of this year, and will continue through the first quarter of next year. The reports thus imply that the touchscreen Chromebook will probably be launched in early 2013.