While Apple and Google have competing platforms in smartphone, tablet, wearable, TV, and computing segments, Google's operating system for computers and laptops is more of a web browser than a full-fledged operating system. However, that could change soon, as Google is reportedly planning to migrate ChromeOS to Android.
If this happens, future Galaxy Chromebooks from Samsung will run this Android-based ChromeOS.
Galaxy Chromebooks could run Android-based ChromeOS version
According to a report from Android Authority, Google plans to fully migrate ChromeOS to Android. In June this year, the company announced that ChromeOS would start using parts of Android's tech stack, including the Android Linux kernel and Android frameworks. However, the use of Android could go deeper than initially thought.
The company will reportedly complete this migration in a multi-year process. When this migration is done, ChromeOS should theoretically make Chromebooks and Android tablets better than iPads.
Even if the new version of ChromeOS isn't better than iPadOS or macOS, it should reduce the fragmentation of Google's platform efforts, as all its platforms will be based on Android.
Right now, smartphones, tablets, TVs/media boxes, and smartwatches run differentiated versions of Android. Even upcoming extended reality (XR) devices will reportedly run a customized version of Android. Desktop computers and laptops run ChromeOS. In the future, all those devices will run a version of Android. This move will also improve Google's planning and resources.
Apparently, Google is planning to launch a new Pixel-branded laptop, and it is possible that it will run the new version of ChromeOS that is based on Android.
ChromeOS lacks enough high-quality native desktop apps. Google has been making efforts to encourage developers to build apps and games for large-screen Android devices like foldable phones and tablets. Those apps could scale well to ChromeOS-based computers and laptops.
The integration between Android smartphones/tablets and Chromebooks could improve significantly with Google's planned move.
So, future Galaxy Chromebooks that run the Android-based ChromeOS could have access a lot more apps and games than what current Galaxy Chromebooks have.