Katarzyna Petru
Google is quietly preparing one of the biggest turns in its operating system history. And while the name "Aluminium OS" sounds like an experiment in a lab, more and more indicates that this is indeed the foundation of Google's future offensive in the laptop and computer market.
Aluminium OS – Android for desktops is really coming
A leak from a job listing on LinkedIn, noticed by user Frost Core, practically confirms the existence of the project. Google is looking for engineers to work on a "new Aluminium system, based on Android," as described by Android Authority. This is no longer just a theory. Interestingly, Google’s internal documents also mention "non-Aluminium ChromeOS," suggesting that Aluminium may only be a working codename and not necessarily the final product name. One thing is clear: Google no longer wants to treat Android and ChromeOS as separate entities. It is building something new – a system that will combine the mobile experience of Android with the desktop convenience and performance.
AI at the core of the system – Gemini changes the game
This won't just be ChromeOS with a new overlay. According to the announcement, AI is to be embedded in the foundations of Aluminium OS. Google is integrating Gemini models directly into the system, suggesting a complete transformation of its operational philosophy. The new OS is set to run on:
laptops
tablets
2-in-1 devices
mini-PCs
So, everywhere that ChromeOS has "somehow worked" until now, but never achieved an advantage over Windows or macOS.
New Google Hardware Strategy
Three new categories of devices have emerged in the documents:
AL Entry
AL Mass Premium
AL Premium
They exist alongside the existing Chromebooks and Chromebooks Plus. This shows that Google does not intend to suddenly abandon ChromeOS, but plans for their parallel existence. Aluminium OS is set to scale from cheap school laptops to powerful ultrabooks – a segment where Chromebooks have always struggled to compete.
Furthermore, the official materials include a statement about "conducting the company during the transition from ChromeOS to Aluminium while maintaining business continuity." This is a clear sign: ChromeOS is not disappearing immediately, but Google is preparing for an epochal migration.
This doesn't have to be the final name
“Aluminium OS” sounds great as a codename, but poorly as a consumer brand. Google could:
keep the Aluminium name,
or incorporate the whole project under the ChromeOS banner to avoid confusing buyers.
The final decision will be made in 2026 – that's when the first computers with the new system are expected to appear.
What does this mean for the market?
If Google really delivers:
a fully-fledged Android for desktops,
with native support for mobile applications,
with an interface optimised for keyboard, mouse, and large screens,
with AI that genuinely makes work easier,
then for the first time in years, someone might seriously try to take on Windows and macOS. Aluminium OS could be the biggest change in Google's ecosystem since the launch of ChromeOS… or even since the launch of Android.
