Google’s Aluminium OS: An Android Alternative for PC
▼ Summary
– Google is developing “Aluminium OS,” a new Android-based operating system with AI at its core, according to a recent job listing.
– The OS, also referred to as ALOS, is intended for a range of hardware including entry-level, mass market, and premium devices like laptops and tablets.
– ChromeOS will initially coexist with Aluminium OS, but Google plans to eventually transition from ChromeOS to the new operating system.
– The name “Aluminium” uses the British spelling, possibly referencing Chromium, the open-source foundation of ChromeOS.
– Google has confirmed it is merging Chrome OS and Android into a single platform, with a planned release next year.
New details have emerged about Google’s ambitious project to merge the strengths of Android and ChromeOS into a unified operating system, currently referred to as Aluminium OS. A recently uncovered job posting seeks a product manager to lead development of this “new operating system built with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core,” signaling a major strategic shift for the company’s computing platforms.
The listing, which initially appeared two months ago but only gained attention recently, provides the first official name, or more accurately, codename, for this initiative. It explicitly describes Aluminium OS as Android-based and uses the abbreviation “ALOS.” Google appears to be targeting a broad hardware spectrum with this platform, from entry-level devices to premium models across multiple form factors including laptops, detachables, tablets, and set-top boxes.
While ChromeOS isn’t immediately disappearing from Google’s ecosystem, the job description indicates the team will manage “a portfolio of ChromeOS and Aluminium Operating System” devices. However, the posting also mentions the need to develop a strategy for transitioning from ChromeOS to Aluminium, strongly suggesting that the eventual plan involves phasing out ChromeOS in favor of this new Android-derived alternative.
The unusual British spelling of “Aluminium” ending in “-ium” may represent a deliberate nod to Chromium, the open-source foundation underlying ChromeOS. This linguistic choice could symbolize the technical lineage connecting the new platform with its predecessor while distinguishing it as a separate entity.
Google’s interest in adapting Android for personal computers spans more than a decade, though concrete plans have only solidified in recent years. Company executives have publicly acknowledged working toward combining Chrome OS and Android into a single platform, with Android head Sameer Samat confirming these integration efforts are underway and targeting a potential release next year. This represents Google’s latest attempt to create a cohesive computing experience across all device categories.
(Source: The Verge)
