Google has officially confirmed what tech watchers have speculated for years – ChromeOS and Android are being merged into a single, unified platform. Sameer Samat, President of the Android Ecosystem at Google, confirmed the news and hinted at a broader vision: a versatile OS that adapts to how users work across devices, especially laptops and tablets.
“We’re going to be combining ChromeOS and Android into a single platform, and I am very interested in how people are using their laptops these days and what they’re getting done,” Samat said, during a recent statement that finally sheds light on Google’s long-term OS strategy.
The move isn’t entirely surprising. 
Android has been gradually improving its large-screen capabilities, rolling out features like a desktop mode, improved window management, and better scaling support – all signs pointing toward a more productivity-friendly Android experience. Despite Android’s dominance in mobile, Google has struggled with consistency in its tablet and laptop strategies, often trailing behind competitors like Apple and Samsung in terms of polish and ecosystem integration.
Past efforts to push Android onto tablets have met with limited success, leading to user frustration. ChromeOS, while lightweight and fast, has also failed to win over mainstream laptop users beyond budget-conscious students and niche users. This merger could streamline Google’s operating systems and focus its resources into building a truly cross-device experience that can rival Apple’s iPadOS or even macOS in some cases.
There are also reports that Google is working on a new Pixel laptop, which would showcase the merged OS in action – similar to how Pixel phones highlight pure Android. If successful, this could significantly strengthen Google’s hardware lineup and offer a compelling alternative to the Apple ecosystem.
Of course, skepticism remains. Google has a history of launching – and abandoning – platforms. Critics argue that merging two operating systems without first fully understanding users’ needs might lead to another half-baked experiment. Others are cautiously optimistic, noting that Google now seems more serious about large screens and productivity, especially with increasing competition and the evolving post-pandemic work culture.