Google is officially taking the long-awaited step of combining its two major operating systems, Android and ChromeOS, into a single, unified platform. The confirmation came directly from Sameer Samat, the president of Google’s Android ecosystem, ending years of speculation.
The news broke during an interview with TechRadar, where Samat revealed Google’s strategy. He explained that the company is moving to create a more cohesive ecosystem, where devices work together seamlessly. “We’re going to be combining ChromeOS and Android into a single platform,” Samat stated, adding that he is “very interested in how people are using their laptops these days and what they’re getting done.”
This strategic shift aims to mirror the tightly integrated experience that Apple users enjoy across their iPhones, MacBooks, and other devices. For a long time, Google’s two operating systems have felt separate, even though the company has been slowly building bridges between them. This official merger is a significant move to fix that disconnect.
Google has been laying the groundwork for this change for some time. Chromebooks could run Android apps for years, and last year, Google announced it would start basing ChromeOS more heavily on the same technology that powers Android. Furthermore, the upcoming Android 16 is expected to feature a built-in desktop interface, similar to Samsung’s DeX, which allows a phone to power a desktop-like experience.
The creation of a single operating system will likely become even more crucial as Google pushes into new hardware categories. With Android XR devices for virtual and augmented reality on the horizon, having one unified platform will make it easier for developers to create apps that work across phones, laptops, and future gadgets.
