Katarzyna Petru
Google is quietly preparing one of the biggest turns in its operating systems history. And although the name "Aluminium OS" sounds like an experiment in a laboratory, 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 on the way
A leak from a job offer 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, internal Google documents also mention “non-Aluminium ChromeOS,” suggesting that Aluminium may be merely a working codename rather than a necessary name for the final product. 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 Rules of the Game
This won’t just be ChromeOS with a new interface. According to the announcement, AI is to be embedded in the foundations of Aluminium OS. Google is integrating the 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
In other words, everywhere that ChromeOS has “somehow worked” but has never gained an advantage over Windows or macOS.
New Hardware Strategy from Google
Three new categories of devices appear 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 rather plans for their parallel existence. Aluminium OS is set to scale from inexpensive school laptops to powerful ultrabooks – a segment where Chromebooks have always struggled with competition.
Furthermore, the official materials include a statement about “running the business during the transition from ChromeOS to Aluminium while maintaining business continuity.” This is a clear sign: ChromeOS isn't disappearing immediately, but Google is preparing for an epochal migration.
This doesn't have to be the final name yet
“Aluminium OS” sounds great as a codename, but weak as a consumer brand. Google could:
keep the name Aluminium,
or incorporate the whole project under the ChromeOS banner, so as not to confuse buyers.
The final decision will be made in 2026 – that is when the first computers with the new system are expected to appear.
What does this mean for the market?
If Google really provides:
a full-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 perhaps even since the launch of Android.
