Google to merge Chrome OS into Android, unveil unified OS next year

[Arthur]

It's going to be interesting to see what the new unified OS will be like.

 

Source: Wall Street Journal (via Ars Technica)

 

The Wall Street Journal just released a doozy of a report saying that Android and Chrome are merging. The venerable paper says that a unified operating system will be released in 2017, but Google will show off an early version next year.

 

The report says the merger has been underway for "roughly two years," and it refers to the end result as "Android", which makes it sound like Android will play host to the merge and integrate parts of Chrome OS. The Journal says the unified OS will "run on PCs", and Chromebooks (which will now run Android) will be given a new name.

 

As a "browser only" OS, Chrome OS has struggled to get the app ecosystem traction that Android and Google Play have excelled at. Most of the software innovation we've seen from Google over the years has been on Android, with Chrome OS remaining "just a browser", with few major exciting features. It's been clear that Android has been the OS with all the momentum, but it's still a shock to hear that Chrome OS is going away.

 

A merger like this is going to bring massive changes to Android. The mobile OS is awful with a mouse (or touchpad) and keyboard, and it would need a big UI revamp to work on Chrome OS-style hardware. Android also has no scalable update solution, while Chrome OS has a controlled, seamless, silent update process. Part of the allure of Chrome OS for schools and businesses is that it's relatively bombproof, easy to manage, and easy to update. None of those things can be said about Android.

[gshaw]

Beat me to posting that, writing was on the wall with the Pixel C running Android rather than Chrome OS.

 

A couple of years ago this move would've made a lot more sense but it almost seems a bit of a shame now ChromeOS has matured and started taking market share based on its lightweight, secure nature. Can only hope Google manages to keep the same update mechanism where it controls the version on devices, rather than the mess Android is right now with manufacturers holding users to ransom with latest OS revisions.

[CyberNerd]

I've been noticing in my almost daily updates from Google that they have been focussing a lot more on android devices for GAFE in the last six months. There are good and bad points to each but if they can get the robustness and management of chromeos into android then it will be a winner.

[gshaw]

if they can get the robustness and management of chromeos into android then it will be a winner.

 

That's a big if but will be interesting to see how it unfolds

[hardtailstar]

I read an article about this a year ago by someone speculating that it would happen.

 

They have the resources and I think that it will compete with the likes of Apple and Microsoft in a few years.

[Arthur]

Chrome OS is here to stay

 

Over the last few days, there’s been some confusion about the future of Chrome OS and Chromebooks based on speculation that Chrome OS will be folded into Android. While we’ve been working on ways to bring together the best of both operating systems, there's no plan to phase out Chrome OS.

[CyberNerd]

If this quote is correct "In fact, every school day, 30,000 new Chromebooks are activated in U.S. classrooms—that’s more than all other education devices combined." Why does there seem to be such reluctance to use them on these forums ?

 

I'm still hoping they'll bring more android apps to Chromeos seamlessly, the arc welder is a bit hit and miss.

[hardtailstar]

If this quote is correct "In fact, every school day, 30,000 new Chromebooks are activated in U.S. classrooms—that’s more than all other education devices combined." Why does there seem to be such reluctance to use them on these forums ?

 

I'm still hoping they'll bring more android apps to Chromeos seamlessly, the arc welder is a bit hit and miss.

 

Because Schools get contracts with companies to supply all their products rather then buying through a third party.

 

Thats how I understand it although I may be wrong.

[CyberNerd]

Because Schools get contracts with companies to supply all their products rather then buying through a third party.

 

Thats how I understand it although I may be wrong.

 

Do you mean that the schools in the states do this? Like the multi academy trusts ?

[Arthur]

writing was on the wall with the Pixel C running Android rather than Chrome OS.

With the Pixel C getting multi-window and USB-C to DisplayPort support with Android N next year I wonder if Google are going create some sort of hybrid OS similar to Ubuntu Convergence where Chrome OS loads when you connect the Android tablet to a monitor or TV?

 

Pixel C team holds Reddit AMA, discusses name, Android N, multiwindow support, "OK Google" hotword update and more

 

The team is working on DisplayPort support over Type C, though that isn't ready yet. Members believe the Pixel C will get much better with Android N due to unnamed features that are in the works. As we've seen in the past, split screen support is in development, and the team wishes it could have been part of the Pixel C experience at launch.

 

"We're working on lots of things right now for N that, of course, we wish we had, you know, yesterday. But we'd spoil the surprise of N if we shared all of them. Split screen is in the works!"

 

— Andrew Bowers, Director for Consumer Hardware

 

The Pixel C comes with an unlockable bootloader with the capability of booting an alternate OS, something else that should be more exciting in the future than the present. The firmware, Coreboot, is open source, and like other Nexus devices, the Pixel C will be supported on AOSP. The tablet is set to receive updates on a schedule that lines up with Android's monthly security updates.

[CyberNerd]

I hope they just continue the work on virtualising APK's to run in the browser.