Android plus Chrome OS equals Google's future operating system
Summary: We still don't know where Google is going with Android and Chrome OS, but putting Chrome's top executive in charge of Android is a big, honking hint.
So, will Google call it hybrid Android/Chrome operating system? Will it be Chromezoid? Android OS? ChromeDroid OS? ChromeAndrogeny!?
We still don't know that Google will be marrying Chrome OS and Android into one operating system. But Sundar Pichai, the head of all things Chrome at Google is replacing Andy Rubin, Android's founder, as Android's top dog. I think that says a lot.
Officially, when I asked Google if they had any plans on merging the Chrome OS and Android developer teams, I was told, "Thanks for reaching out, but we're letting the blog post speak for itself. No additional details to share right now."
Well, they may not have any anything else to share, but a lot of us who make our living from watching technology -- such as Joe Wilcox, Mary Jo Foley, and Dieter Bohn -- all see Google merging the two Linux-based operating systems into one.
After all, we've just been listening to Google's own top brass. Back in 2009, Google co-founder Sergey Brin was talking about bringing the two operating systems together. Last year, Pichai himself hinted that Google would bring the Android and Chrome OS together.
So, why hasn't it happened yet?
Well, I think in part it was because the hardware wasn't ready yet. It wasn't really until this year that PCs, with their keyboards (which Chrome OS needed), also had the touch screens (that Android needed) and were widely available at affordable prices. And, what has Google just released? Why the pricey -- but not outrageously expensive -- Chromebook Pixel, which has both a keyboard and a touch screen! Coincidence? I think not.
My colleagues over at CNET, Stephen Shankland and Casey Newton, think that the real problem is that Web apps, which is what Chrome OS relies on, aren't as mature as Android's native apps. I don't agree with them on this.
I don't see any reason why Chrome's apps can't run on top of Android; or, for that matter, why Android's apps can't run on top of Chrome. Both operating systems, at heart, are Linux distributions. Their foundations are the same. Their differences are all at the interface level and just below it.
Now that would be a big problem, except Google already has the Chrome Web browser running on Android. Getting it to work smoothly? Yes, that's going to take some time. But, I, for one, won't be surprised to see a beta Chromeazoid Rex, or whatever Google ends up calling it, sometime later this year.
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Talkback
Maybe it was to increase android security?
SJVN strikes again
So you think this is technically impossible?!
Technically possible, but
I still don't see the need to merge them. Possible, but not needed. If Google attempts to combine, perhaps it'll be Windows 8 by Google.
A Chevy engine in a Buick ....
They both have the same types of inputs/outputs/interfaces, and chances are excellent that they even come from the same engine production line.
poor analogy Buicks have had chevrolet engines in them
Android runs in a VM
So, yes, the Android run time could added to Chrome.
I would suggest that it should be optional - it shouldn't be forced on Chrome users, but I think it could really blow things open if they did this.
(But I don't think they will given recent developments, e.g. Rubin out and native Docs delivered via NaCl.)
@ L. Biege
They both have the same engine - Linux so running both on the same OS side by side would be easy. It would be desirable to allow Android apps to run in any Chrome browser, not just the ChromeOS browser. Running Android within the Chrome browser could be handled by integrating the Android app engine into the Chrome browser and then allowing Android apps to run from browser plug-ins. However if I were doing it, I would run Android in the cloud (or as much of it as possible) so that the big advantage of ChromeOS over Android, iOS, Windows, OSX, namely zero maintenance, zero touch administration features of ChromeOS are preserved.
Not impossible.
Rubin bailing out of Android was the first big honkin hint.
Take Rubin at his word
So you are saying there's nothing new in Android any more?
No. He was saying that Android is the most successful OS in history
He is staying at Google, so he hasn't been ousted.
RE: Maybe it was to increase android security?
o Clean up their App Store, Google Play
o Get their partners to put out Android updates and upgrades in a timely manner
o Merge code from the security-enhanced android project into their own Android code:
http://selinuxproject.org/page/SEAndroid
In addition, Google has recently ported QuickOffice, via native client, to the Chrome browser on Chrome OS for the Chromebook Pixel. QuickOffice, prior to its acquisition by Google, ran on both Android and iOS. If Google can port QuicKOffice, they can port other Android apps to Chrome OS.
Google, One trick Pony
Google will be dead if they loose in search. Bing is getting stronger in market share and Bing search is simply better than Google.
Like Apple crumbled in share price, Google is nothing but a sitting duck.
Sir
Bing? Let's just take a second to let that sink in...
Speaking as someone who has used bing....
No.
Oh additionally people, businesses pay for google services all the time?
Anyway. Search, mail, calendar, docs, mobile OS, desktop -crappy- OS, online marketplace, music store, hardware, enterprise services.
Is that the pony from the three adds?
I don't like google much... Aren't many mega corps I do like. I even rooted my phone to de google it. Yet I find myself defending them here in the name of sanity?! Thanks for that.
Look at recent Ebay study
Or... Their fiscal report?
They're an ad company. Their revenue comes from ads on all their sites and services.
I don't see how that helps us predict the future. We can look at the past; they started in a competitive search industry (remember lycos?) and they obliterated it. I have no idea about the future, but looking at their fiscal data doesn't provide me a Crystal ball.