Google’s effort to turn ChromeOS into Android underway: Could it challenge iPad’s dominance?

A report suggests that tech giant Google is slated to turn ChromeOS into Android. Google has been introducing several new features to both platforms, narrowing the gap between them. Despite these efforts, the platforms are yet to challenge Apple’s dominance in the tablet segment. Although there has been no official announcement, Google this time looks forward to fully migrating ChromeOS over to Android, unlike its previous attempts to unify the two operating systems. 

In recent months, Google has stated that the ChromeOS will be, “embracing portions of the Android stack, like the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks.” However, it remains unclear how the move will impact Google Chrome’s OS or Chromebook branding. Speculation suggests that Google might want future Chromebooks to operate on Android. 

Given that much work remains to be done, but the desktop windowing changes introduced a few weeks ago with Android 15 hints at Google’s intention to transition ChromeOS into Android. The report also notes that new Android features, including improved keyboard, mouse support, multiple desktops, along with other changes “are part of Google’s internal Android-on-laptop project.” It is uncertain whether these will ultimately be rolled out. 

In other related developments, Google has committed $20 million in cash and $2 million in cloud credits to a new funding initiative. It is designed to help scientists and researchers unearth the next great scientific breakthroughs leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), Google DeepMind co-founder and CEO Demis Hassabis said.

The winning applicants should be using "AI to address increasingly complex problems at the intersections of different disciplines of science," according to a blog post from Maggie Johnson, Google VP and global head of Google.org.

"We hope the launch of our 20-million-dollar fund will help encourage further collaboration between the private and public sectors, kick-start renewed excitement for the power of AI and science, and inspire others to join us in funding this important work," Johnson added.