- Aluminium OS unifies Android and the ChromeOS experience on a desktop OS with IA in the core (Gemini).
- It will cover multiple formats (portable, convertibles, tablets, mini-PCs) and ranges from AL Entry to AL Premium.
- Phased transition: coexistence with ChromeOS, support for current devices, and focus on premium segments.
- Roadmap to 2026, with testing on Intel/Kompanio and prominence of ARM (Snapdragon X) in PC.
In recent months, an internal project has come to light Google codenamed Aluminium OS, which, according to multiple clues, intends to carry Android to desktop with AI as the central focusThis is not a simple experiment or a visual layer: the company wants to consolidate what Android and ChromeOS currently offer under one umbrella, and do so with a traditional PC approach.
The definitive clue came from a high-level job offer that mentions a “New Android-based operating system called Aluminium”The nod to metal and the suffix “-ium” is not accidental: it is reminiscent of Chromium/ChromeOS And it underscores the kinship, although this time the core is Android. An ambitious plan is on the table: to unify platforms, put AI (Gemini) at the center, and truly compete with Windows and macOS on mid-range computers and premium segments.
What is Aluminium OS?
Aluminium OS is the internal name of a Google platform that seeks to offer a full desktop experience on an Android baseThe stated goal is to eliminate the duplication of effort between Android and ChromeOS, opting for a single system capable of scaling from mobile to desktop. desktop computerwith full support for keyboard, mouse and large screens.
The project was born with an AI-first approach: Gemini and its generative models They would be integrated into deep layers of the system, from the assistant to productivity workflows, automation, and developer tools. Essentially, everything that shines on mobile devices today would arrive on laptops and desktops with significantly greater computing resources.
One relevant detail is the explicit mention of the acronym in internal documentation. ALOS (Aluminum OS) It already has a portfolio of devices that includes laptops, convertibles, tablets, and boxes/mini-PCs. In other words, we're talking about a platform for various form factors, not just the typical Chromebooks.
In practice, Aluminium OS aims to compete on several fronts: it intends to measure itself against Windows and macOS in “real” productivity and, according to some sources, even position itself as an alternative to the approach of iPadOS on powerful touch devices. The key is to unite the fleet of apps Android with a desktop experience untethered to the browser.
Chronology and strategic fit
The idea of merging their systems has been around for a while. In 2015, there were rumors of Andromeda, an attempt at convergence that never materialized. Since then, Google has made its moves step by step: Android apps on ChromebooksDesktop mode advancements in Android 15 and 16, and public confirmations at events with Qualcomm that a common technical base is being built for PC and desktop.
More recently, a job posting for “Senior Product Manager, Android, Laptops & Tablets” put in writing what was missing: you will be working on a “New Aluminium operating system, based on Android”designed with AI at its core. There have even been references to a strategy to migrate from ChromeOS to Aluminum without disrupting business continuity, which suggests a phased transition.
Specialized media have detected evidence on plates with Intel 12th generation and MediaTek Company 520In addition to plans to leverage the new wave of ARM PC chips like the Snapdragon X, everything fits with the idea of a modern OS, optimized for CPU/GPU/NPU capable of running AI models locally.
Along the way, some coverage included links to related readings outside the project (for example, experiences using alternative browsers on Android). Although they don't add any technical details to Aluminium OS, They help to situate the media context in which this initiative has been revealed.
Devices, ranges and the ambition to compete at the top
It's not just a plan for education or cheap equipment. Internal references explicitly cite categories such as AL Entry, AL Mass Premium and AL Premium (You'll also see "AL Basic" in translations), covering everything from entry-level devices to high-performance machines. This distinction is important because ChromeOS has had more traction in the education sector, but Aluminium OS wants play in the big leagues.
The platform would encompass several formats: laptops, 2-in-1 convertibles, tablets, mini-PCs and even "disassemblable". At the high end, the idea is to compete with equipment of the type MacBook Pro or Surfacewith powerful CPUs and GPUs and NPUs ready to accelerate AI tasks locally without constantly relying on the cloud.
Furthermore, by reducing browser dependency (one of ChromeOS's historical limitations), Aluminium OS aims for a more traditional desktop experienceCompatible with professional workflows and demanding applications. Simply put: less "web-only," more "full PC."
In parallel, Google aims to counter the competition's narrative: in contrast to Microsoft's "AI-powered PC" strategy, Aluminium OS presents itself as an OS designed with AI from the ground upnot as an add-on or suite on top of the system. It remains to be seen how users will receive these integrations, considering that certain lines of AI-powered laptops have taken off with less force than expected.
What's happening with ChromeOS: coexistence and transition
The move doesn't eliminate ChromeOS overnight. The planning itself mentions temporary coexistence And a careful transition to maintain business continuity in education and enterprise, where ChromeOS has taken root. In fact, support for current devices can be expected for years while new models with Aluminium OS are being rolled out.
Regarding updates, the picture is nuanced. Tests have been seen on devices with Intel Alder Lake and Kompanio 520This suggests that Google is studying compatibility, but there are no public guarantees that all recent Chromebooks will receive Aluminium OS. Several sources indicate that some modern devices may be eligible for an update, while others may not. They will remain on ChromeOS until the end of support.
Internally, the nickname “ChromeOS Classic"To refer to the current platform, a sign that the strategic direction has been chosen. In parallel, Google has explained that the ChromeOS experience will be will build on top of Androidsimplifying the platform to focus on a single base system.
From a business perspective, it makes sense for ChromeOS to remain in affordable laptops and large-scale educational deployments, while Aluminium OS drives the mid-range and premium segments. This duality would allow Google to cover more of the market during the transition period.
Calendar, base version, and ad windows
The leaks point to a launch window around 2026, with a high probability that the official presentation will take place in a Google I/O and the first units will arrive later that same year, or as early as 2027. Technically, several sources indicate that Aluminium OS will be based on Android 17.
A phased rollout is also expected alongside partners of hardware, with Qualcomm and its Snapdragon X platform in the first ARM line for PCs, and parallel testing on x86 solutions. That combination reinforces the idea of a broad platform, not limited to a single architecture.
It is worth bearing in mind that “Aluminum” could be a internal name and not the one we see on the boxes. The British spelling suggests a tribute to Chromium, but the final commercial name could change without altering the strategy.
AI as the backbone: Gemini and a unified ecosystem
The most distinctive feature is the absolute priority given to AI. It is a system designed “with AI at its core“: Integrated Gemini models, contextual assistants, intelligent system-level functions, and desktop-optimized development tools. All with the intention that the user perceives proactive help and faster workflows in everyday and professional tasks.
For developers, unifying on Android means that many apps will be able to share codebase between mobile and desktop, with adaptations for keyboard/mouse, windows, and large screens. This saves Google from maintaining two parallel platforms and could incentivize new "desktop Android" applications with professional ambitions.
The arrival of more powerful NPUs in laptops and desktops will allow for greater performance. local AI models with lower latency and better privacy. In corporate environments or in the EU, where regulatory compliance is paramount, this local capability can be a significant selling point.
Impact on education, business, and channel
The transition must be especially delicate in education, a field where Chromebooks have had a long history. It will be crucial that Google offers... clear support roadmaps, compatibility with existing tools and a migration without surprises for administrations and centers.
In the enterprise, Aluminium OS has the opportunity to open doors that ChromeOS didn't quite manage to open. With a focus on productivity, local AI, management, and security, manufacturers (Acer, LenovoHP and others present in Spain) could align premium and mid-range equipment designed for SMEs and large accounts.
For the channel, a unified platform simplifies the discourse: an Android ecosystem that covers everything from the mobile to PC With deep integrations and a single technology base, and if partners support this with good hardware, 2026 could mark a turning point for Google on the desktop.
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