Google May Eventually Abandon ChromeOS for Integration with Android
Brook.X
Google's ChromeOS, a desktop operating system developed based on the browser and using the Linux kernel at its core, is primarily targeted at the Chromebook series of laptops. Its defining feature is the lack of traditional software installation capabilities, with users relying on the Chrome browser to load various web pages or Progressive Web Applications (PWAs) after startup. It's important to note that ChromeOS itself is not open source, though its upstream version, ChromiumOS, is open and free to use. This introduction sets the stage for understanding ChromeOS's current position.
According to reports from the tech website Android Authority, which closely follows developments in the Android ecosystem, insiders suggest Google is considering merging Android with ChromeOS to boost competitiveness. This "merger" is actually more of a one-sided integration, with ChromeOS's standout features being incorporated into Android, leading to ChromeOS's eventual discontinuation.
What does this mean for the Chromebook initiative? It's not going away. Chromebooks currently dominate the K-12 education market, competing mainly against Apple's iPad and, to a lesser extent, Microsoft's Surface. The future points to Chromebooks running a redesigned, laptop-friendly version of Android, potentially under the Pixel brand name.
Rumors are circulating about Google developing a Google Pixel laptop running on Android, and the upcoming Pixel Tablet 2 might also feature an operating system that blends Android with ChromeOS elements.
For Google, merging these two operating systems makes practical sense. ChromeOS has struggled to make a significant market impact over the years. Switching Chromebooks or Pixel laptops to Android could vastly improve their utility over ChromeOS.
However, combining Android with ChromeOS is a massive undertaking, potentially requiring 1-2 years to complete. By that time, the ChromeOS project could be fully phased out, with development and updates ceasing.
