After many years of struggling to find a foothold in the personal computer market, Google is said to be preparing for a "set the game" step.
The tech giant plans to launch aluminium OS, a completely new home PC operating system built with AI as the centerpiece, hoping to help Google compete directly with Microsoft's Windows and Apple's macOS.
For many years, Google has dominated the mobile market with Android, but has continuously failed to expand to the PC field.
ChromeOS was once made an impression thanks to the cheap Chromebook, but was quickly overwhelmed by Windows laptops.
Efforts with Android tablets have also failed to yield significant results, leaving Google in third place, well behind Microsoft and Apple.
However, Google seems to have never given up on PC ambitions. According to the disclosed information, the company is developing aluminium OS, a platform that combines Android and ChromeOS, instead of continuing to maintain two parallel operating systems.
The idea has been sluggishly open to Google for months and was officially confirmed at Qualcomm's Snapdragon Summit in September.
At the event, Google hardware director Rick Osterloh said the company is building a common technical platform for personal computers, aiming to bring Android into the PC space comprehensively.
The new operating system will allow Google to deeply integrate its AI ecosystem, including Gemini models, Google Assistant, and existing application ecosystems and developers, he said.
Although not mentioning ChromeOS directly, Osterloh has implicitly confirmed that Android will be the core of the unified operating system, while ChromeOS will gradually switch to running on Android.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon also appreciated this direction, saying that alum aluminium OS realizes the vision of converging mobile devices and personal computers.
Leaks suggest that Google is not just targeting the low-cost segment like the Chromebook before.
An internal recruitment report refers to aluminium OS running devices with many styles such as laptops, tablets, removable devices and even mini computers.
The three product segments mentioned include AL entry, AL Mass Premium and AL Premium, showing that Google wants to attack the entire high-end market, where MacBook Air is dominating.
However, ChromeOS will not disappear. Android leader Sameer Samat affirmed that Google is still committed to Chromebook, but the technological backbone of ChromeOS will gradually shift to Android.
This means that Chromebooks and aluminium OS running devices will coexist, serving different groups of users.
The biggest difference of alum aluminium OS is described by Google as being built with AI as the core. Gemini Assistant will play a central role in user experience, from application management, turnedkey to personalizing workspace.
A typical example is the Disco AI testing browser, which allows turning web tabs into smart apps, suggests work, and even creates new apps using text commands.
Despite many questions about the interface, multi- tasks capabilities, and practical power, aluminium OS is attracting great curiosity.
If implemented in the right direction, this could be Google's most serious effort to compete with Windows, macOS and even iPadOS. According to Google's leaders, the operating system is expected to launch in 2026.
