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Google blurs lines between Android, Chrome for work and personal apps

Google's Android and Chrome chief boasts consumers have bought into the three pillars behind Chromebooks: speed, simplicity and security.
Written by Rachel King, Contributor

SAN FRANCISCO---Wouldn't it be nice if you could get the same Android applications from your smartphone on Chromebooks as well?

That was the question posed by Sundar Pichai, head of Chrome and Android at Google, during the opening keynote of Google I/O 2014 on Wednesday.

Obviously, the question was rhetorical as Pichai went on to explain just how the lines between the Internet giant's two most prominent platforms are being blurred even further.

Leading up to I/O 2014, there have been a number of hints and expectations that the borders between Android and Chrome would start to come down.

Avni Shah, director of product management for Chrome, cited earlier in the presentation that there are now 300 million active users on Chrome for Mobile. The popular mobile browser is due for a routine booster shot, which consists of improvements around material design and even in-app 3D tours powered by Google Earth.

Pichai acknowledged that consumers have long asked the question above, suggesting that sentiment extended for both personal and workplace reasons.

Up until now, the experience has been "disconnected," Pichai lamented simply.

Thus, Google is rolling out a "a whole set of APIs" designed to unify the mobile experience so that both personal and corporate applications can live on the same device.

While listing a number of mobile OEMs such as HTC and Lenovo that will have devices ready to support these APIs by fall, Pichai especially praised Samsung and its Knox platform for data security and separation contributions.

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