Google may bring Android to PCs with new ‘Aluminium OS’

A recent Google job listing on LinkedIn hints that the tech giant may soon bring Android to desktop and laptops with a new operating system called "Aluminium OS". Here's what we know so far.

Google may be planning to merge Android and ChromeOS under a new operating system internally codenamed "Aluminium OS". (Image Source: Google)

Android is often associated with smartphones, smartwatches and tablets, but the operating system also powers other devices like the newly launched Samsung XR headset, TVs and even cars, but still lacks support for traditional PCs.

And while Google has tried to enter the space with ChromeOS, it failed to be a popular replacement for macOS and Windows-powered PCs. However, a few months in September at the Snapdragon Summit, Google confirmed that it is building a new platform in collaboration with chip maker Qualcomm to bring together mobile and desktop computing. Now, a new report by Android Authority suggests that the tech giant is working on an Android-based OS for desktops.

The news comes from a Google job listing for “Senior Product Manager, Android, Laptop and Tablets” on LinkedIn for a new platform called “Aluminium OS”, which is described as an Android-based operating system with AI at its core.

While nothing is certain at the moment, it might mean that the operating system will be tightly integrated with both the Gemini AI chatbot and the large language model. The report also suggests that, like some premium Android smartphones, where Gemini offers on-device processing, the PC version of the operating system could bring a significant boost to Android’s AI capabilities since the memory and battery constraints will be much less than those of a smartphone.

The job listing goes on to say that the role will have the task of “driving the roadmap and curating a portfolio of ChromeOS and Aluminium Operating System (ALOS) Commercial devcies across all form factors (e.g. laptops, detachables, tables and boxes) and tiers (e.g. Chromebook, Chromebook Plus, AL Entry, AL Mass Premium and AL Premium) that meets the needs of users and the business.”

What it means is that Android may no longer be limited to laptops, and Google may be planning to extend Android support for the premium PC segment as well, just like Chromebook Plus. As for ChromeOS, it looks like the operating system will coexist alongside Aluminium OS for quite some time, but eventually merge.