Today, Google has one operating system for smartphones, Android, and another system, ChromeOS, for computers. For tablets, it’s more complicated, since there are models that use Android, and tablet PCs that run ChromeOS. But now, Google would have a new strategy: run everything under Android. In any case, this is what the sources relayed by our colleagues at Android Authority explain, in an article published this week.
And if old rumors had mentioned the possibility of a merger between Android and ChromeOS, Android Authority speaks instead of a “complete migration from Chrome OS to Android”. And one of the consequences of this migration would be that Google would now like to offer laptops running Android, instead of current Chromebooks.
Besides, another site, Android Headlines, discusses Google’s development of a “Pixel Laptop” device. This could position itself as a competitor to MacBook Pros, Surface Laptops and other high-end laptops. And our colleagues at Android Authority think that this future Pixel laptop should not use the ChromeOS operating system, but rather Android.
Why is this a good idea?
For the moment, caution is required, because this information has not been confirmed by the firm. And even if Google has enormous resources at its disposal, the development of an Android OS for computers remains a huge undertaking. Google will have to adapt the interface, optimize the OS for physical keyboards and mice, convince an entire ecosystem, etc. On the other hand, Google could take inspiration from Samsung, which managed to develop a real PC interface on Android. And it is already developing a “desktop mode” on Android, which is hidden in the options for developers.
But in any case, if the company manages to “migrate” ChromeOS to Android, the result could be very interesting. Indeed, the version of Android for PCs could integrate certain features inherited from ChromeOS, which is an operating system optimized for productivity, with a real PC interface. But at the same time, this version would have the same catalog of applications and multimedia content as smartphones.
Android tablets could also benefit enormously from this project, since they would have a new, more competitive interface compared to iPadOS.
- Google would consider migrating ChromeOS to Android, so that the latter is also an operating system for PC
- The firm is also developing a “Pixel Laptop” which could use this version of Android for computers
- The rumor has not yet been confirmed, but the result of such a project could be very interesting
