During I/O 2025, Google introduced connected displays as a method to “connect an external display to their Android device and transform a small screen device into a powerful tool with a large screen.” This feature is currently in developer preview with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2.
Last year, Google disclosed that ChromeOS will rely more on Android in its upcoming versions. The impact on the end-user experience remains uncertain, as Google has not provided further details on these developments.
I don’t see a clear differentiation between them. My hunch is that Chromebooks may remain popular in education and business settings, while some ChromeOS devices may target personal use. Google is likely to aim for the personal market with 2-in-1s, essentially tablets with attached keyboards. The upcoming “DeX” feature could be Google’s way of introducing users to desktop Android, with the hope of transitioning them to a dedicated device.
Google is preparing to introduce new features like desktop windowing by the end of the year, exclusively for “compatible tablets running Android 16.” They aim to enhance multitasking capabilities.
The new developments allow you to expand apps beyond a single screen, unlocking the full productivity potential of Android on external displays.
It’s becoming clear that Google is working on two alike desktop operating system projects concurrently.
On the flip side, ChromeOS is currently in a strong position. Personally, I would choose a Chromebook over the current desktop Android experience on the Pixel Tablet. It provides a more conventional desktop environment and a superior browser.
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For many people, ChromeOS fulfills their personal needs on a day-to-day basis. With the availability of various online services and web apps, it gets the job done. However, Google aims for Chromebooks to compete more fiercely with Windows and Mac, hence we might see what I would describe as a “desktop Android” in the near future.
At present, it appears that desktop Android and ChromeOS are on a collision course. It’s unlikely that Google will entirely abandon Chromebooks. Despite not dominating the personal market, they are widely popular in education and enterprise sectors. Discontinuing them would significantly harm Google’s reputation.
These updates hint at ChromeOS becoming a prominent player, as Google leverages Android’s mobile dominance to challenge Windows and Mac.
Google appears to be focusing primarily on Android, evident in their efforts to “rebuild the operating system with AI at the core,” starting with XR. This could potentially result in a desktop OS with an always-on Gemini/Project Astra interface that promises an engaging user experience. It could be the next-generation operating system that Apple has yet to deliver and Microsoft missed out on.
The role of ChromeOS in all of this is not entirely clear yet. Google is forging ahead with Chromebooks and the Chromebook Plus initiative to establish a presence in the laptop market. This move is strategic, and Chromebook Plus devices offer enhanced specs and AI-driven features. The most recent update even introduces a Circle to Search-like feature that Android users will be familiar with.
One downside is the absence of integrated Gemini and Gemini Live on ChromeOS. While Google announced it for Chrome on Mac and Windows at I/O, there was no mention of Chromebooks. Perhaps Google plans to unveil it later, but for now, it’s a no-show. The concept of using Gemini Live to browse the web and control a Chromebook sounds intriguing.
