'Aluminium OS' tipped to be Google's new Android-based PC operating system

For nearly a year, it’s been hinted Google wants to merge its Android and ChromeOS operating systems into a single OS. Google confirmed this narrative in July, but a now-deleted job listing seems to confirm the firm’s plans.

Spotted by Android Authority, a two-month-old job listing for a project manager mentions work on a project named — or codenamed — “Aluminium OS.” The ad goes on to describe the project as a “new operating system built with Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core.”

The “ALOS” system is also described as “Android-based” with Google looking to build entry-level, mass market and premium devices using the new OS. Those devices include laptops, detachables, tablets and boxes at a variety of prices.

It doesn’t sound like ChromeOS will go away immediately, as the listing says the team will develop devices across both operating systems before eventually transitioning to ALOS.

Interestingly, the name uses the British spelling with the ending -ium, though it might be a bit of a nod to Chromium, the open-source code that makes up the structure of ChromeOS.

How we got here

In November of 2024, Android Authority reported that a source inside Google confirmed the plan was to combine Android and ChromeOS. Google’s Android Ecosystem President Sameer Samat officially confirmed that mission in July during an interview with our colleagues at TechRadar, stating “we’re going to be combining ChromeOS and Android into a single platform.”

In September Google’s Rick Osterloh announced it’s working with Qualcomm to make a big push to bring Android to PCs, with Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon praising early versions of the software.

Potential launch windows

Based on what we heard in September, it’s likely the Aluminium project will launch in 2026, though what year is up in the air. The most likely windows are around the release of Android 17. Android 16 arrived early this year in June, rather than August or October. It’s not yet clear if Android 17 will keep that date. We could also see ALOS during Google’s big I/O event, which typically takes place in May, and both windows would suggest a spring or early summer debut.

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