Overview

• Sameer Samat publicly confirmed in mid-July that Google will combine ChromeOS and Android to streamline development and contend with Apple’s integrated ecosystem
• Technical groundwork began in early 2024 with the integration of Android kernel components into ChromeOS to accelerate AI feature rollouts
• Android 16’s new desktop mode with multi-window multitasking on external displays serves as the first consumer step toward a unified large-screen experience
• Google plans a phased, multi-year rollout of the unified OS, aiming to provide developers with a single code base across phones, tablets and laptops
• Reports indicate a Pixel-branded laptop codenamed “Snowy” could debut the unified platform as an early showcase for the new software