It’s official. Android and ChromeOS will merge next year to create a unified operating system. This will benefit PCs, and the announcement was made during Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit. Windows’ monopoly is now under threat.
The leader in PC operating systems remains Windows. While there are numerous criticisms of this ecosystem, Windows 11 continues to perform well, with the 25H2 version now available as an ISO file. However, this monopoly could be upended with the release of Android for PC. This operating system is already available on millions of devices worldwide, including Google’s Pixel, Samsung’s Galaxy, and various Xiaomi devices.
Android will merge with Chrome OS to offer a PC operating system
Samir Samat, head of the Android ecosystem at Google, stated: “This is something we are very excited about for next year.” But why merge Android and Chrome OS? Google justifies this decision by the integration of AI. “We are essentially taking the Chrome OS experience and re-basing the underlying technology on Android,” explains Samir Samat. Thus, the AI technologies of Android need to come to PC, according to the head of the Android ecosystem at Google.
Google also aims for an integration between PCs and the Android ecosystem, creating a synergy across these platforms to provide a coherent user experience across all devices. Chrome OS has performed well among laptop users, according to Google. Android tablets are known for enhancing productivity through AI. The merger of these two philosophies will enable the combination of the strengths of both operating systems, which has been highly anticipated.
Qualcomm also plays a crucial role in this transition. The company is no longer just designing mobile processors, like the new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for the Galaxy S26. Qualcomm now provides PC chips with the Snapdragon X2 Elite and Snapdragon Elite Extreme. According to the company, these are the most efficient chips on the market for Windows PCs. Google, Android, or Chrome were not explicitly mentioned during this presentation.
In short, Microsoft now faces a formidable competitor in the operating system market. It’s worth noting that Windows 11 is popular, especially with the end of support for Windows 10 causing discontent among users. While some are turning to Linux, there is currently no user-friendly operating system for the general public comparable to Microsoft’s solution. However, Android on PC could completely change the landscape.
Source: The Verge
