Google will launch a new desktop operating system in the next 12 months to compete with Windows and macOS. And those who have tested the work-in-progress software ahead of its release have branded it "incredible".
With the demise of the ever-popular Windows 10 a few months ago, there is a sizeable opportunity for Google, which is already offering a free alternative for laptop and desktop PC owners struggling with the end of support.
The Mountain View-based firm already has a massively successful mobile operating system with its open-source Android platform, and leveraged its Chrome web browser to build ChromeOS, which powers thousands of affordable laptops worldwide. But this new platform will combine the best of both.
Google is behind one of the most successful mobile operating systems, Android
|GOOGLE PRESS OFFICE
We've heard whispers about these plans for some time now, but this is no longer a rumour — Google executives confirmed that it'll merge ChromeOS and Android during Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit 2025.
Google's Senior Vice President of Devices and Services, Rick Osterloh explained to the audience that they're "building together a common technical foundation" for both PCs and smartphones.
What does that mean for your devices? For the first time, you'll benefit from Android's AI features, like the tight integration of advanced AI assistant Gemini, in the desktop experience.
Not only that, but you'll also have access to the entire Android app ecosystem on your computer, something that's been exclusive to phones and tablets until now.
Devices powered by this new blend of Android and ChromeOS will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, moving away from the Intel processors currently powering Chromebooks
|QUALCOMM PRESS OFFICE
If you're curious about what this new Android desktop experience actually looks like, Qualcomm's CEO has already had a sneak peek. Cristiano Amon couldn't contain his enthusiasm after seeing it first-hand, telling the audience gathered in Maui, Hawaii: "I've seen it, it is incredible."
The chief executive of the San Diego-based chipmaker told the audience he "cannot wait to have one" of these Android-powered computers. He praised how it "delivers on the vision of convergence of mobile and PC," exactly what you'd want if you're looking for your phone and computer to work seamlessly together.
This high praise from someone who's actually used the system suggests you might finally get that unified experience between your Android phone and desktop that iPhone users have enjoyed with their Macs for years.
Rather than maintaining separate systems for phones and computers, Google is creating one unified platform. This means you'll benefit from faster development and better integration between your devices.
Your future Android PC will run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips, moving away from the Intel processors currently powering Chromebooks. These Arm-based chips promise better efficiency and performance, particularly with Qualcomm's newer Oryon CPU cores.
This merger means native Android apps will run directly on your computer without needing emulation, making the experience much smoother than current setups. If you're wondering when you'll actually be able to get your hands on this new Android-powered computer, Google has provided a timeline.
Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President of Devices and Services at Google, pictured speaking at the Made By Google event at Google's Bay View campus in Mountain View, California, in August last year
|GETTY IMAGES
Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem at Google, told the Snapdragon Summit that this new unified platform is "something we're super excited about for next year." That means you can expect to see these Android PCs arriving in 2026. Samat explained they're "taking the ChromeOS experience and re-baselining the technology underneath it on Android," confirming the merger is well underway.
He emphasised that Google remains "super committed" to the laptop platform and sees this as an opportunity to "accelerate all the AI advancement" from Android. For you, this timing couldn't be better — a few months after Windows 10 support ends and thousands are looking for a new machine, a fresh alternative emerges.
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