Google is working to fully integrate Chrome OS into Android as part of a multi-year strategy to better compete with Apple’s iPad, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move would mark a significant shift in Google’s operating system strategy, potentially ending Chrome OS’s run as a standalone platform.
Android Authority reports that future Chromebook devices will ship with a desktop-optimised version of Android instead of Chrome OS. This represents a dramatic expansion of Google’s June 2024 announcement that Chrome OS would incorporate some Android components.
The company is already laying groundwork for the transition by developing a new Chrome browser for Android with extension support and a Terminal application for Linux compatibility. Additional desktop-focused features in development include improved external display support, enhanced keyboard and mouse input, and multiple desktop spaces.
The consolidation aims to streamline Google’s development resources while creating a more unified platform to challenge Apple’s dominance in premium tablets. Neither Chrome OS nor Android has successfully competed with iPad despite iPadOS’s multitasking limitations.
The merger could benefit Android’s ecosystem by expanding its user base and attracting more developers. A separate report suggests Google is also developing a high-end Pixel laptop that could showcase the new desktop-oriented Android platform.
When contacted by Android Authority, Google declined to comment on plans to phase out Chrome OS in favor of Android. The timeline for completing the merger remains unclear, though the multi-year project scope suggests a gradual transition rather than an immediate switch.
Google plans to merge Chrome OS into Android to take on Apple’s iPad – Times of India
