Google today offers two operating systems: Android for smartphones and tablets and Chrome OS for desktops and notebooks such as its Chromebooks and Chromeboxes. While Android has established itself as the world’s most used operating system, Chrome OS has not been as successful. While the two will remain separate for some time yet, they will slowly but eventually merge into a single operating system according to Google’s vice president of engineering, Linus Upson. “We have our hands full in delivering a wonderful experience on dektop and laptop and the Android team have their hands full bringing a great experience on phone and tablet. But the two teams are working together even more closely,” he told TechRadar.
Evidence of that convergence can already be found in functionality such as web browsing. “With Chrome on Android and Chrome OS and Chrome on Windows or on Mac you get the same web browsing experience everywhere,” said Upson.
At the same time, Upson points out that different types of devices still need different experiences. “The use cases in technology stacks on phone and tablet are very different to desktop and laptop, as are the user expectations, and the types of things you do are also very different,” he said. He also pointed out that both Apple and Microsoft support this dual strategy, Apple with iOS and Mac OS and Microsoft with Windows and Windows Phone.
Upson also refuted rumours of a Chrome OS tablet: “We are not working on a Chrome OS tablet.”
Read more: TechRadar