Google is migrating ChromeOS to Android, which implies Chromebooks will quickly run Android as a substitute of ChromeOS. Although this alteration has advantages, I am skeptical. Google doesn’t have one of the best monitor report for managing working programs and merchandise. The Google Graveyard website has almost 300 examples. I am hopeful this can be a optimistic change for customers of each working programs, however I really feel it might not be.
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5 ways Google migrating Chrome OS to Android is a good thing
Why the ChromeOS to Android changeover is an efficient factor for customers
A historical past of OS mismanagement
Google’s monitor report with working programs is not nice
Google could have been profitable with Android, however it mismanaged or deserted different working programs. Google’s smartwatch working system is a good instance of how poorly Google manages working programs. Android Put on launched in March 2014 with pretty optimistic evaluations and the caveat that the working system appeared unfinished. Even with these slight points, many smartwatches launched with the brand new working system from numerous producers, comparable to Motorola, Sony, LG, and Samsung.
As time handed and extra Android Put on units have been launched, evaluations turned more and more bitter as a result of many preliminary working system points endured. Google launched a rebrand for Android Wear to Wear OS in 2018 with a promised redesign and enchancment as a result of it fumbled the OS. The working system obtained a brand new coat of paint and have become just a little sooner. Nonetheless, most of the working system’s points endured, and the variety of OEMs utilizing the platform dwindled.
Google ramps up its WearOS efforts
Google acquired Fitbit in 2021 and partnered with Samsung to merge options from the Tizen working system into WearOS. Google used the acquired Fitbit to create its first smartwatch operating WearOS, the Pixel Watch, in 2022. The Pixel Watch included a big replace to WearOS that made it simpler to make use of and fewer buggy. It additionally added trendy options and navigation to the OS.
There have been just a few iterations of the Pixel Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches, however few OEMs use the platform. Google provides giant updates to the platform each few years, however the novelty wears off rapidly. We’re left with an working system with many holes, a few of which have been there from the start.
I’ve used just a few Android Put on and WearOS smartwatches through the years. The working system has improved, however it hasn’t turn out to be extra compelling. It generally feels restricted and glitchy. Whereas Apple provides extra helpful options to its smartwatches, Google hasn’t added a lot to the platform. Its primary improvements are pushed by its first-party units. It hasn’t carried out a lot to make the platform interesting to builders or different OEMs.
Supply: Google
One other instance that springs to thoughts is Google Fuchsia
Whereas there was by no means an official announcement, some journalists dug by means of a mysterious code base on GitHub, which included references to a Google OS operating on a spread of units. Many speculated this was an try and redo Android and make it operational on extra units. Google talked in regards to the OS at Google I/O in 2019 as an experimental OS idea and added it to the Android Open Supply Challenge.
Google changed the unique Nest Hub’s working system with Google Fuchsia in 2021. It did the identical for the second-generation Nest Hub in Might 2023. This alteration was made primarily beneath the hood, with few user-facing modifications.
Google laid off 16% of the employees engaged on Google Fuchsia in January 2023. We have not heard a lot about it since. It was talked about as the subsequent era of Android and ChromeOS, however Google appears to have relegated it to Nest Hubs.
ChromeOS additionally had a rocky begin
Work on the OS began within the late 2000s, and it was introduced as a client product in Might 2011 at Google I/O. To start with, the OS was solely the Google Chrome browser. Google modified the UI in 2012 to incorporate a taskbar and a window supervisor to make it much like a standard desktop working system. The OS turned extra well-liked as time went on. Chromebooks outsold Macbooks in 2020 as they have been an excellent answer for a lot of throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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As Chromebooks turned extra well-liked, Google added new options to the OS, however not at a fast cadence. Google added the power to make use of Android apps by means of the Google Play Retailer on choose units in 2016, which has since expanded to all new Chromebooks. Google added quite a few different options to make ChromeOS a profitable working system. The working system was serviceable when 2020 rolled round, however it took the units blowing up in reputation for Google to take the product significantly. With out this coincidental change, Google might need continued to pull its toes on improvement and stagnated the OS.
These are just a few examples. None of them paints Google in a terrific mild. Google’s historical past with merchandise and working programs is full of shutdowns and layoffs. ChromeOS had a nasty begin however is now in an excellent place, and I do not need Google to mess it up.
Android will complicate ChromeOS
It takes away a lot of what makes ChromeOS nice
I feel integrating ChromeOS into Android would primarily profit Android. Whereas I like Android and can’t conceive of utilizing one other cell working system, it has points. Android would not simply work and infrequently runs into points. I am unable to rely the variety of bugs and glitches I’ve skilled on my Android telephones, they usually randomly pop as much as this present day. Generally, closing an app or turning the display screen on and off fixes the problem. I needed to restart the telephone to get the problem to go away. Different instances, I needed to do deep analysis or manufacturing facility reset the telephone to repair these points. The various bugs with their numerous options make it laborious to say Android “simply works.”
Moreover, as a result of Android is sophisticated and has a lot performance, it has extra safety flaws and vulnerabilities, which Google stopped paying others to seek out. Preserving present with updates, which can take important time to obtain and set up relying in your machine, is crucial to remain forward of those safety points. Help for these updates is spotty, relying in your Android machine’s producer. Whereas Google and Samsung promise seven years of support for his or her flagship units, different OEMs, like Motorola and Asus, have worse and inconsistent assist insurance policies.
These are two downsides of Android that oppose the advantages of utilizing ChromeOS. ChromeOS seamlessly installs updates typically and has an ordinary replace coverage throughout all units. It additionally has little to no glitches and could be counted on to work seamlessly while you want it. This appeals to common customers, companies, and faculties. Corporations and faculties need their units to work so long as attainable and do not need to spend time fixing them. If the convenience of ChromeOS goes away and is changed with a much less safe, extra buggy working system, they might look elsewhere. This may kill your complete class for Google and make the mixing pointless.
What’s the actual motive for this alteration?
I really feel like there could possibly be an ulterior motive
Google is commonly cryptic about why it makes modifications to its working programs and companies, and that is one other occasion of that. Whereas there hasn’t been an official announcement on this alteration, I really feel the motivation is much less about what’s higher for shoppers and extra about Google’s enterprise.
Google was discovered guilty of having a search monopoly in August 2024. Bloomberg reported in November 2024 that the US Division of Justice is contemplating making Google sell off Chrome as a treatment for this case. Whereas this can take a while to work out, it is a actuality that Google should think about.
Whereas ChromeOS shouldn’t be the identical as Google Chrome, it’s closely tied to it since its authentic iteration was the Chrome browser. If Google is pressured to promote Chrome, it might complicate what it is allowed to do by way of Chromebooks. If Google modifications the Chromebook working system to Android and is pressured to promote Chrome, it should nonetheless have management over Chromebooks’ working system and the cash it makes from them.
Companies’ primary focus is getting cash, they usually achieve this to outlive. Nevertheless, I am nervous this alteration will take away what I and others love about ChromeOS. This alteration could enhance Android on bigger screens. Nevertheless, it might make the units much less fascinating since they might lose many benefits. This alteration could possibly be akin to the Fuchsia change to Google House Hubs, the place a lot of the change is beneath the hood, however I am unable to see that being the case.
Simply depart effectively sufficient alone
Chromebooks work. Why complicate them?
Google shut down a number of working programs and companies over its lifetime, however that historical past has shiny spots. Android and YouTube are two profitable examples of Google doing issues accurately. ChromeOS is one other nice instance of one thing Google did proper.
The principle enchantment of Chromebooks to me is that they only work. Different pc working programs comparable to Home windows, macOS, and Linux require some information of how they work to get what you want from them since they’re extra advanced working programs. Chromebooks are easier and require little to no background information to make use of them. This simplicity consists of automated updates on an everyday schedule and improved safety.
Because of the time it takes to replace Home windows or macOS, you may’t make them automated. The updates will get in the best way while you use your machine. Additionally, because of the complexity of Home windows and macOS, it’s laborious to ensure they’re safe and vulnerabilities typically pop up. ChromeOS is safer because it’s sandboxed. Updates are fast and simple as a result of they occur within the background.
Different working programs can do extra and run extra highly effective apps, which is not important for most individuals. Chromebooks do most issues within the Google Chrome browser, which implies most issues are web-based. Today, 99% of what folks do on a pc, not less than of their private lives, is web-based. You could want to make use of a spreadsheet or edit a photograph, however discovering an online model of most companies that may do most duties is simple. You will discover an Android app for companies that do not have an online model. This may not be the case for 100% of individuals, comparable to individuals who want extra for his or her careers or are critical avid gamers, however I feel that is the case for most individuals.
I nonetheless don’t need Google to mess with ChromeOS
Since expertise is turning into costlier, we frequently purchase a costlier machine in case we’d like further performance. This is the reason many individuals disregard Chromebooks. They really feel they could want greater than they supply. Most individuals do not want all the ability or performance of a special working system, particularly after they can get a Chromebook Plus. This is the reason I imagine in Chromebooks and discover them charming to make use of. They don’t seem to be sophisticated. They’re easy and work. Once I open my Chromebook, I do know it should work, and I will not have to attend lengthy for an replace or run into any points.
This is the reason I like ChromeOS and don’t need Google to mess with it. From a enterprise and authorized perspective, I perceive why this alteration could make sense for Google. I hope this does not affect shoppers. Finally, solely time will inform. We’ll must see how this performs out.
