Particle.news
Download on the App Store
15 ARTICLES
·
2d ago

Google’s Aluminium OS Leaks in Bug-Report Videos, Revealing Android 16 Desktop on a Chromebook

The footage confirms active internal testing of a unified desktop platform that blends ChromeOS elements with Android 16.

Image
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 on a desk
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook
Image

Overview

  • Two screen recordings attached to a public Chromium Issue Tracker report showed an Android-based desktop UI codenamed Aluminium OS before Google restricted access.
  • The videos were captured on an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook with a 12th Gen Intel processor and identified the build as ALOS ZL1A.260119.001.A1 running on Android 16.
  • The interface mixes a top status bar and centered launcher with windowed apps, split-screen multitasking, the Play Store, and a Chrome build featuring an Extensions button.
  • A Gemini icon appears in the status area, aligning with Google’s framing of Aluminium OS as an AI-centric experience.
  • Google has not announced a release date, with reports pointing to a 2026 rollout and noting that device eligibility will depend on hardware capabilities.