Google is reportedly preparing for a major strategic change. It concerns ChromeOS, its system dedicated to laptops, and Android, its mobile platform for smartphones and tablets, among others. The Mountain View firm, which had already announced in June the adoption by ChromeOS of basic Android technologies, such as the Linux kernel, has been working on the unification of the two systems for some time. According to sources from the specialized site Android Authority, it would not be a merger, but a complete migration from ChromeOS to Android.
One of the consequences of this project is that Android laptops should see the light of day. The Android Headlines site mentions the development by the web giant of a “Pixel Laptop”, baptized internally under the code name “Snowy”, namely a high-end laptop. This device would position itself as a competitor to Apple’s MacBooks, Microsoft’s Surface Laptops and other laptops in the same segment. The idea is also to better compete with Apple’s iPad, which dominates the tablet market with its iPadOS system. To do this, it is a question of offering an optimized operating system that meets the expectations of various users, whether for leisure activities or for productivity.
The redesign would be profound and presents many technical challenges for Google’s teams, according to Android Authority. Among them are improved keyboard and mouse support, support for windows and multiple workspaces, as well as optimized management of external monitors. This would be a project lasting several years for the web giant, which could also have to part with its Chrome web browser.
