Google is shaking up the PC world by merging its Android and ChromeOS operating systems into a single platform, set to debut in 2026.
This action will consolidate laptops and tablets under a robust new operating system based on the Android code base, ensuring users have a seamless experience with AI and applications on all devices.
At Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit, Sameer Samat, the president of the Android ecosystem at Google, declared that the mobile operating system serves as the cornerstone of the future of personal computers.
Android to power the new PC experience
Android will form the backbone of Google’s new combined PC system, replacing ChromeOS’s current base.
Samat revealed, “We’re taking the Chrome OS experience and re-baselining the technology underneath it on Android, so that combination is something we’re super excited about for next year.”
Android’s success on tablets and smartphones makes it the ideal candidate for powering laptops, bringing a wider range of apps and smoother performance.
This transition also enables Google to spread its Gemini AI services across more devices, enhancing user interactions on bigger screens.
AI Integration drives the merger
The push to merge these OSes aligns with Google’s broader AI ambitions. Android serves as a better platform for embedding AI capabilities than ChromeOS.
Samat said, “The opportunity we see is to accelerate all the AI advancement we’re doing on Android and bring that to the laptop form factor as rapidly as possible.”
This means future PCs will benefit from more innovative features, including extended reality (XR) support and powerful AI tools integrated natively into the system for improved productivity and user experience.
Partnership with Qualcomm boosts hardware
Qualcomm plays a critical role in this shift, developing processors optimised for this new Android-powered PC platform. The company’s latest Snapdragon X2 Elite and Elite Extreme chips promise efficient performance for laptop users, supporting the Android ecosystem beyond mobile phones.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon expressed excitement after seeing the OS in action, saying he “can’t wait to have one.”
This hardware-software blend aims to challenge existing laptop systems and attract consumers and developers to the unified Google PC experience.
This merger marks a new chapter for Google’s operating systems and signals a significant shift in the technology landscape. It promises innovative AI and app integration on a single, streamlined platform.