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Google tease some kind of Chrome and Android union

by Mark Tyson on 1 February 2013, 12:15

Tags: Chrome, Chrome OS, Hewlett Packard (NYSE:HPQ), Acer (TPE:2353), Samsung (005935.KS), Lenovo

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There’s a new Android mascot cheekily waving from a corner of Google’s campus, looking out upon the various Google Android mascots frolicking on the lawn. Some Android-obsessed news sites think this means that we will be seeing Android apps within the Chrome browser, some others think the new Android symbolises the union of Android and Chrome OS.

The Google I/O event is in May but Android Authority think this chrome clad robot is too early to tease things that may be unveiled at that event, such as; the Nexus 5 and Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie. Also a Chrome Android doesn’t seem to gel with those themes. It speculates that we shall see Android apps running inside the Chrome browser announced in an event before the I/O. This will be one step closer to unifying Google mobile and desktop environments.

ZDNet’s James Kendrick, a self-confessed Chromebook user, thinks that the teaser probably concerns more than just having Android apps inside the Chrome browser. He says “I'm thinking that a merge between the Chrome OS and Android makes more sense”. If the Chromebook platform is to grow and become truly popular, having access to Android’s vast amount of apps would be a great bonus. Also, the offline functionality of a huge amount of Android apps would be a great addition to the current offline capabilities of the Chromebook says Kendrick.

Chromebooks seem to be gaining momentum and more big name system builders, including Lenovo and HP, are getting on board. Do they know something we don’t?



HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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Chrome OS still is lacking some day to day programs, such as Skype. I nearly got a Chrome OS laptop at Christmas, but the lack of Skype was a big issue.
Chromebook with Android, very tempted. all my old netbook does is Chrome and play movies now and again. That plus Android apps and GPS is very very tempting.
It would be nice if there was a kind of ‘automatic remote’ for your android phone through chrome. I know there are apps to do this already, but one built into Google that syncs to chrome would be sweet.
It's just a large stainless steel android statue, maybe. Nothing to infer, unless you are an analyst who has to write something to get paid.
I still can't see the point of the Chromebook - to me it's only a cheaper, less-featured version of a keyboarded Android tablet with all the drawbacks and none of the advantages.

And ChromeOS sits alongside FirefoxOS (for phones) as a totally unneeded product.

Of course, I'm more than willing to be shown why I definitely need one of these devices.

As to the shiny Android - last time I checked Chrome on my phone was labelled “Beta”, so perhaps this is a prop to announce a full Chrome browser for Android - hence “Chrome Android”.