Tim Hardwick
Google is working on a multi-year project to completely migrate Chrome OS to Android as part of an effort to better compete with Apple’s iPad, according to a new report from Android Authority citing an internal source at the company.
The initiative would apparently see future Chromebooks ship with a desktop-optimized version of Android rather than Chrome OS, marking a major shift in Google’s operating system strategy. Google announced in June 2024 that Chrome OS would begin incorporating parts of Android’s technical foundation, but the reported plans go much further toward completely merging the two platforms.
Google is already laying the groundwork for the transition by developing a new version of Chrome for Android with support for extensions and a Terminal app for running Linux apps. The company is also working on better keyboard, mouse, and external display support for Android, as well as features like multiple desktops.
The goal of the consolidation is to create a more unified platform that can better challenge Apple’s dominance in the high-end tablet market while allowing Google to manage its development resources more efficiently. Currently, neither Chrome OS nor Android have been able to successfully compete with the iPad, despite iPadOS’s multitasking shortcomings.
The report notes that the strategy could also benefit the Android ecosystem by expanding its user base and making it more attractive to developers. Meanwhile, a separate report from Android Headlines suggests that Google is developing a high-end Pixel-branded laptop that could potentially showcase a new desktop-focused Android platform.
Google has not officially confirmed plans to phase out Chrome OS in favor of Android, and the company declined to comment on the report when contacted by Android Authority.
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