4 days ago
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Google might be preparing to make big changes to its laptop and tablet hardware by making the software on its Chromebooks resemble what you’d find on a tablet. One report from Android Authority suggests that Google has a “multi-year project” in the works for migrating ChromeOS to Android, while a second one from the same outlet indicates Google may be planning a second Pixel tablet that comes with a foldable keyboard cover.
That tracks with the moves Google has made in recent months.
In June, Google announced that ChromeOS “will soon be developed on large portions of the Android stack” to make the engineering process easier and bring AI features to ChromeOS faster. Google also merged its Android and hardware teams, began testing desktop windowing for Android tablets, and is reportedly working to add extensions to the Android version of Chrome.
Additionally, a source tells Android Authority that Google plans to ship Chromebooks running Android at some point. This desktop-friendly version of Android may also appear on the premium Pixel Laptop that Google is rumored to be working on. This year, Google has made several improvements to Android’s keyboard support, adding a physical keyboard toolbar and new accessibility features. It’s also reportedly working on a way to move your cursor without a mouse.
Google’s approach to Android has evolved significantly since it started bringing Android apps to Chrome OS in 2016. With many changes making Android better for large screens, the mobile operating system is gradually becoming more suitable for desktop use, too.
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