Fewer differences under the hood.
There used to be a time where ChromeOS was mostly just the Chrome browser. It’s now a much more powerful operating system, with the ability to run Android applications and desktop Linux software in containers alongside web content. Now, it’s becoming more like Android under the hood in preparation of new features.
Google has announced that the ChromeOS operating system is undergoing major changes, mostly by integrating components of the Android stack. Both platforms already collaborate with features such as Android app support, but now the operating system will transform and become more like Android to accelerate the rollout of AI-powered features and enhance device compatibility. The first big change is that ChromeOS will use Android’s Bluetooth technology stack, so much of the code for handling Bluetooth devices can be shared across Chromebooks and Android devices. That migration starts with ChromeOS 122.
The integration will enable faster deployment of Google AI and Gemini features to a wider user base—AI is still the hottest thing, and while Google has had a mixed track record in the generative AI era, it has put AI on smartphones, so of course, Chromebooks will get their chance eventually. What aspects of Android will ChromeOS get now, exactly? We don’t have a full list, but Google did say that ChromeOS would be embracing Android’s Linux kernel and frameworks. Not only will it be easier to roll out more features this way, but the move will also streamline engineering efforts and improve synergy between Chromebooks and other devices like phones and accessories.
The transition will be gradual, but Google assures users of a seamless experience, which means that the new, increased presence of an Android-based backbone for the operating system shouldn’t change your experience radically. We’ll have to wait and see, for sure, but we don’t necessarily see a reason why the revamped operating system will work much differently. Regular software updates and new innovations will continue as planned, so even if there is any disruption, you should be able to quickly adjust to it. Google is not providing any timeline for when ChromeOS might become more Android-y, but we should hear more news over the course of the coming months.
Source: Google