Speculating on the Convergence of ChromeOS and Android

Chromebook Logo on a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook (Mediatek Kompanio)

I’ve been a fan of ChromeOS ever since I got my first device, a Lenovo ChromeOS S100. Back then, it was pretty basic: no touchscreen, no Linux support, and no Android apps. It was essentially just a laptop running a basic browser with little else to offer. Watching the platform evolve has been fascinating. Over time, ChromeOS has grown into a robust environment, supporting native applications alongside Linux and Android apps. Until a couple of years back, the only reason I even boot up my desktop PC was for Quicken, but now, I’ve replaced that with the open-source GNUCash, which runs perfectly on ChromeOS.

Google’s recent announcement at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit hinted at its foray into the desktop space. Although details remain vague, it’s clear they are laying the groundwork for something significant. I find it frustrating when tech blogs speculate that this signals the demise of ChromeOS or fear it will turn into a restrictive platform locked down by the Play Store. From my experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. My Chromebook runs Android apps, native apps, progressive web apps (which are inherently platform-agnostic), and even a selection of Linux applications thanks to the Crostini project.

On the other side of this technological convergence is Android desktop mode. My only experience with this is Samsung’s DeX. The concept is compelling: your smartphone is powerful enough to replace a desktop computer, especially when paired with an external keyboard and monitor. I’ve followed DeX’s development closely, and while it’s promising, I’m not ready to trade in my Chromebook for a phone-plus-accessories setup just yet. I do appreciate that the latest versions no longer require a physical cable to connect to a display, allowing wireless operation. However, the overall experience still feels a bit clunky and not quite ready for mainstream adoption.

My current Chromebook (Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chrome) runs on a Mediatek Kompanio ARM chip rather than Intel. While it may not feel as snappy as my previous Asus Chromebook with an Intel i5, its battery life is truly impressive. With more ARM-based Chromebooks entering the market, I believe this shift brings us closer to the seamless convergence we’ve been anticipating.

Personally, I see this as a win-win for both ChromeOS and Android communities. I hope this convergence leads to better performance of Android apps on ChromeOS, which today run in sandboxed containers rather than natively, and offers Android phone users a more robust and enhanced desktop experience when using their devices as a computer in a pinch.