Reports: Google working on touchscreen Chrome device

• Google could be taking aim at Microsoft%27s Surface device
• Details to be unveiled at Google event
• A touch-based Chromebook would be a first from Google

SAN FRANCISCO - A touch-screen Chromebook? Speculation is building about what search giant Google might announce at a press event Thursday morning in San Francisco.

The Wall Street Journal late Wednesday was the latest to weigh in, after reports circulated around the Web over the last few days hinting that Google could unveil a touch version of the highly portable Web-based laptops built on Google's Chrome operating system.

A Google Chromebook with a touch screen would be a square shot at Microsoft's recent Surface launch of tablets, likely undercutting the software giant's price.

"I think Google smells blood" at Microsoft, said IDC analyst Crawford Del Prete.

The Journal story, citing "people familiar with the matter," says it's unclear when the devices would go on sale and which hardware manufacturer would build them

Chromebooks currently on the market are made by Samsung, Acer and Hewlett-Packard. They start at $199.