Google merging Chrome OS and android

[mclld]

http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/29/android-chrome-os-merger-coming-next-year/


This should be interesting

 

[tbayrgs]

http://www.wsj.com/articles/alphabets-google-to-fold-chrome-operating-system-into-android-1446151134


This should be interesting

Would leave to read the article but it's behind the WSJ paywall.

Update: Here's a brief article over at Android Central.

Im curious...if Apple released a laptop with iOS, they would get crucified to high hell (pretty much the consistent criticism of the iPad Pro). Will Alphabet/Google see they same criticism or will the Android faithful flip their script.

 

[mclld]

updated

 

[Hal~9000]

Here's a non-paywall article on it:
http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/29/9639950/google-combining-android-chromeos-report

Google's two operating systems will soon be one. Chrome OS is going to be combined with Android, and the combined OS could be revealed as soon as next year, according to The Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that Chrome is essentially being folded into Android, because Android has emerged as the dominant operating system by quite a long stretch. Combining the two operating systems means setting up Android to run on laptops and desktop computers, which would require big changes, as well as supporting the Google Play Store. Chromebooks will reportedly receive a new name to reflect the new OS.

The Verge has independently confirmed that Chrome OS and Android will combine, with a preview likely to be demonstrated at Google I/O next year. The move marks an effort at Google to reduce the number of independent platforms it has to maintain, sources said.

The new operating system is expected to be released sometime in 2017. While this is a major and somewhat surprising move — Chromebooks have been fairly successful and are a great low-cost computer option — it's easy to see how Google got here. Sundar Pichai, who's now leading Google, was put in charge of both Chrome and Android two years ago, and he's made moves to bring the two operating systems closer in that time. That includes adding support for Android apps inside of Chrome OS. Though support is still limited, some Android apps are up and running on Chromebooks. Google also revealed a convertible Android laptop last month, called the Pixel C. Now, it seems like that's just an early sign of what's to come. Google declined to comment.

 

[JaySoul]

It was inevitable considering the Pixel C runs Android.

I do find it a bit weird, though. Chromebooks are ridiculously popular and I was just about to buy one. This effectively kills them off, it's just not worth buying one.

OK, it's a short term problem and it probably makes sense long term as Android will be king no matter what. But it's still weird how Google have just gone flipmode.

 

[iphonedude2008]

Wasn't much content in chrome os in the first place. It always seemed like a chrome browser running in a stripped down android environment.

 

[Hal~9000]

It was inevitable considering the Pixel C runs Android.

I do find it a bit weird, though. Chromebooks are ridiculously popular and I was just about to buy one. This effectively kills them off, it's just not worth buying one.

OK, it's a short term problem and it probably makes sense long term as Android will be king no matter what. But it's still weird how Google have just gone flipmode.

What is sucky to me about this move is how ChromeOS is pretty damn secure from what I've read, while Android... not so much.

Plus Chromebooks get updated directly from Google, while Android OEMs can sit on their ass and take months (if ever) to push an update.

Really hope Google addresses these issues before the merger.

 

[mclld]

Plus Chromebooks get updated directly from Google, while Android OEMs can sit on their ass and take months (if ever) to push an update.

maybe this is part of the reason, the new OS will give them the control

 

[iphonedude2008]

What is sucky to me about this move is how ChromeOS is pretty damn secure from what I've read, while Android... not so much.

Plus Chromebooks get updated directly from Google, while Android OEMs can sit on their ass and take months (if ever) to push an update.

That's true. If Google could gain back control of android from at least the carriers, not necessarily the oems, it would be a lot better of an experience.

 

[Hal~9000]

maybe this is part of the reason, the new OS will give them the control

I sure hope so! Would be a dream come true... but I'm not holding my breath since ChromeOS isn't forked the way Android is, which is why Google can update it right away. Imagine if Samsung comes out with a "Touchwiz" Chromebook? Bleh!

 

[iphonedude2008]

I sure hope so! Would be a dream come true... but I'm not holding my breath since ChromeOS isn't forked the way Android is, which is why Google can update it right away. Imagine if Samsung comes out with a "Touchwiz" Chromebook? Bleh!

Haha. Touchwiz on a chrome book would really signal the end of technology.

 

[tbayrgs]

I sure hope so! Would be a dream come true... but I'm not holding my breath since ChromeOS isn't forked the way Android is, which is why Google can update it right away. Imagine if Samsung comes out with a "Touchwiz" Chromebook? Bleh!

Sadly, you can almost certainly expect this to happen. In much the same way that OEMs use skins to differentiate their Android phones, they'll do the same on laptops. If Google can't stop them from doing it on phones now, how can they do it on other devices?

 

[tbayrgs]

Haha. Touchwiz on a chrome book would really signal the end of technology.

Brace yourself, because if Samsung offers an Android laptop, I'll wager any amount of money you'd like that it'll have the latest iteration of TouchWiz.

 

[iphonedude2008]

Sadly, you can almost certainly expect this to happen. In much the same way that OEMs use skins to differentiate their Android phones, they'll do the same on laptops. If Google can't stop them from doing it on phones now, how can they do it on other devices?

They could keep it closed source. The only reason oems can customize android it because Google bought it as open source and kept it that was. Android wear remains closed source and so manufacturers can only do preinstalled apps rather than customized looks.

 

[tbayrgs]

They could keep it closed source. The only reason oems can customize android it because Google bought it as open source and kept it that was. Android wear remains closed source and so manufacturers can only do preinstalled apps rather than customized looks.

But Android Wear is a separate OS...this won't be by the sound of it. Is Google going to set OS limits simply based on the type of device it's installed on? It's certainly an option but I personally don't see that happening--seem counter to their entire philosophy of getting as many eyeballs as possible on their services.

 

[AustinIllini]

I like this plan. Chromebooks running Android is the next logical step. Unlike Apple, Google doesn't have a hugely established operating system for the traditional PC.

 

[lowendlinux]

They could keep it closed source. The only reason oems can customize android it because Google bought it as open source and kept it that was. Android wear remains closed source and so manufacturers can only do preinstalled apps rather than customized looks.

If they try to close it it'll just get forked.

 

[Tsepz]

Those already complaining of the possibility of TouchWiz, are you aware that if its anything like how Android is now, there will be a Google made one, you won't be forced to go Samsung. Shock, horror.

 

[gotluck]

stock android with samsung hardware is kind of a mecca for stock android folks, I think that's why you see people get bent out of shape

samsung really doesnt have the same upper echelon hardware status with respect to chromebooks