Google Rumored to transform Chrome OS into Android. What will this mean for Chromebooks?

So according to this article by Android Authority, Google is reportedly considering turning Chrome OS into Android in an effort to compete with the iPad.

A source within Google has told Android Authority that Google plans to migrate Chrome OS fully over to Android. This move is aimed at helping Google better compete with Apple’s iPad as well as manage engineering resources more effectively. This means that future Chromebooks will ship with the Android operating system, although it’s unclear what will happen to the Chrome OS brands and Chromebooks in general.

This move would make sense, as Chrome OS and Android are both based on the Linux kernel and share many of the same features. Additionally, Google has been working to unify its operating systems in recent years, and merging Chrome OS and Android would be a major step in that direction.

While Google hasn’t publicly confirmed its intentions to turn Chrome OS into Android, it did mention back in June that Chrome OS would become more like Android by “embracing portions of the Android stack, like the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks.”.

The upcoming Android 15 release is poised to significantly enhance its desktop or laptop-like capabilities. One of the key additions is a refined desktop mode, offering a more polished and user-friendly experience on larger screens like tablets. This mode enables multitasking with resizable windows, a taskbar for quick app access, and improved keyboard and mouse support. Additionally, Android 15 introduces a new windowing system that allows developers to create apps specifically designed for desktop environments, further blurring the lines between mobile and desktop experiences. While full-fledged external monitor support is not yet available, these advancements bring Android closer to becoming a versatile platform for both mobile and desktop computing.

If Google does decide to turn Chrome OS into Android, it would likely do so gradually, with the two operating systems eventually merging into a single platform. This would allow Google to continue to support existing Chrome OS devices while also giving users access to the latest Android features.

As a long-term Chromebook laptop user who also uses Android as my daily-driver, I think this move would make it seamlessly for me to use my two devices. However, Google has already committed to long term support of most Chromebooks for up to 10 years. What will happen to these Chromebooks? Will the new interface be similar to what users are already used to or will they have to learn a completely new user experience? How about Android Apps on larger displays? Will they be more optimized this time for laptops since Android will be natively supported? Or shall there be a new breed of Android desktop apps? All these questions are currently unclear, only time will tell.

It’s important to note that this is still just a rumor, and Google has not confirmed or denied the report. However, if it turns out to be true, it would be a significant change for Chrome OS and could have a major impact on the laptop market.

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