Google Play Store coming to Chrome OS later this year with native support for Android apps

Chrome OS is finally getting native support for Android apps and Play Store later this year

Google is finally merging Android and Chrome OS, well not literally but to some extent. Google at its annual developer conference, I/O 2016 has announced plans to bring Play Store and with it, all the millions of apps to Chrome OS.

Google’s Chrome OS, which is essentially a browser running on a desktop PC had been long rumoured to get support for Android apps. With Android apps, Chromebooks will become more capable computing machine.

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According to The Verge, Chrome OS will get native support for Android app rather than just mirroring the data. The native support would ensure smooth transition and independent ecosystem for all the apps. Google plans to put this feature in the hands of developers in early June and to users this fall.

Google Play Store on Chrome OS will be available only on Chromebook Pixel 2, Asus Chromebook Flip and Acer Chromebook R11. The Verge reports there will be broader adoption of the feature before it reaches consumer devices.

With Android apps on Chromebooks, Google could seriously threaten Windows adoption which has been criticised repeatedly for lack of quality apps.