Google has officially announced its strategy to merge Android with ChromeOS, a move aimed at strengthening its foothold in the personal computing market—an area where it has traditionally trailed behind Microsoft and Apple.
Speaking during a fireside chat at the Snapdragon Summit in Maui, Hawaii, Google’s Rick Osterloh confirmed that the company is actively working to bring the two operating systems together, putting an end to months of speculation. Adding to the excitement, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed he has already previewed the software, saying he “can’t wait to have one.”
“We have always had very different systems between what we are building for PCs and what we are building for smartphones. Now, we have embarked on a project to bring those together,” said Osterloh during the Snapdragon Summit opening keynote. “We are working on a common technical foundation for our products across PCs and desktop computing systems.”
Osterloh further elaborated on Google’s intention to introduce Gemini and the complete Android AI stack to personal computers.
“This is another way we can leverage all of the great work we’re doing together on our AI stack, our full stack, bringing Gemini models, bringing the assistant, bringing all of our applications and developer community into the PC domain,” Osterloh said. “And I think this is another way in which Android is going to be able to serve everyone in every computing category.”
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon offered another hint at what’s ahead, stopping short of specifics.: “I have seen it. It’s incredible. I think it delivers on the vision of convergence between mobile and PC.”
Google has long sought to re-establish itself in the personal computer market. Despite repeated efforts to push ChromeOS, the company has yet to offer a genuine rival to Microsoft’s Windows or Apple’s macOS.
ChromeOS was initially introduced as an experiment, designed to deliver simplicity, speed, and security on entry-level computer. Historically, Google maintained a clear separation between its phone and tablet operating systems and its laptop platform. Over the years, however, the company has repeatedly adjusted its PC strategy—most notably in 2016, when it enabled Android apps to run on Chromebooks. Even so, Android and ChromeOS have continued to operate as distinct platforms.
That said, Google has been quietly preparing for an eventual Android–ChromeOS convergence. In recent years, it has introduced Android features tailored for larger screens, including external display support, resizable windows, and a desktop mode.
Yet, ChromeOS holds only 7.3% of the global PC market, while Windows dominates with 79.8% of new PCs, according to IDC.
For Qualcomm, Google’s renewed push into the PC market could serve as a catalyst, as the San Diego–based firm seeks to broaden its semiconductor business across more devices. The company has been working to diversify its revenue beyond mobile chipsets by targeting the personal computer segment. Its Snapdragon processors—renowned for efficiency and long battery life—are already powering PCs that run on Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
