Google has denied the veracity of a report that states the company will fold its Chrome OS for laptops and desktop computers into its Android mobile operating.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Google plans to merge the two operating systems into one single system in 2017, used across smartphones, tablets, laptops and computers. A later report suggested that Google will make Android available for computers.
Google’s smartphones and tablets run Android, while its Chromebooks run Chrome OS, a cut-down version of Linux that runs the company’s Chrome browser relying on web apps and a few select Android apps.
Hiroshi Lockheimer, head of Android, Chrome OS and Chromecast at Google said: “There’s a ton of momentum for Chromebooks and we are very committed to Chrome OS. I just bought two for my kids for schoolwork.”
The company has made moves to make the two operating systems more integrated, providing more desktop Chrome features for the Android version of Google’s Chrome browser, while adding features such as Google Now and support for a select number of Android apps on Chrome OS.
Google’s Chromecast streaming media adapters also run a version of Android, further blurring the lines between Chrome and Android.
Both systems are based on Linux. It would make sense as the basal level to allow both systems to share one underlying codebase. It is likely that Google could create a Chrome OS experience on top of an Android base.
Many have speculated for years that Chrome OS and Android would merge. Google’s launch of an Android tablet, the Pixel C, which has a heavy focus on productivity with a keyboard accessory that turns it into a laptop analogue also saw speculation that Google would phase out Chrome OS.
The Chrome OS operating system has found success in schools running on low-cost but capable laptops for which its apparent immunity to malware and simple setup and management are suited.
For now, Google says that it is committed to Chrome OS and it is likely Android and Chrome OS will co-exist with tighter integration between the two for the foreseeable future.
