ChromeOS.Guide Plans If Google Merges ChromeOS With Android

There are many websites that are breaking news that Google is considering merging ChromeOS with Android, essentially making ChromeOS based on Android instead of Gentoo. I have been asked how this will impact the ChromeOS Guide and what my plans are for this website, online resources and our books. I have also been asked for advice from several businesses and schools that deploy ChromeOS devices as to what this means for them.

The short answer is: This news does not change anything in the short term (3-7 years) and if it does, the changes would likely be minimal and unnoticed by users of ChromeOS. The fact is that Google has already been slowly merging core elements from Android into ChromeOS for quite a while, starting as far back as May 2021 where Google merged Android's Audio stack in ChromeOS M91 followed quickly by the Android Bluetooth Stack a few months later in ChromeOS 92. Furthermore, Google Quietly began routing traffic through Android's Network Stack in ChromeOS 98 which allowed users to use Android VPN Clients on ChromeOS. 

Google has also been working hard to move both Android and ChromeOS to a more vanilla upstream Linux kernel via the Android Mainline Project, and ChromiumOS has a similar project to build a upstream kernel for ChromeOS. 

With all the existing scaffolding, it is no surprise that Google might be considering merging the two operating systems. It is important to note that nothing is set in stone and these websites are drawing broad conclusions based on a few rumors, nothing has been confirmed by Google. 

Even if these changes are confirmed by Google, it does not mean that users will randomly wake up and discover their favorite Chromebook will suddenly turn into an Android Tablet with a built-in keyboard. These changes, if they do happen, will be under the hood but still look and feel like the ChromeOS we all know and love.

What is the plan for the ChromeOS Guide Website and Books?

When I designed the ChromeOS Guide, I built it to be a living resource, and I always intended to modify and update it as ChromeOS continues to evolve. Most of the books online are static and built around a ChromeOS release that is a few years old.  I currently publish at least 20 changes a week to this website to add new content and report existing content. I will continue to do so if ChromeOS undergoes this change to ensure the content evolves with ChromeOS. 

I have several ChromeOS devices deployed to by Students/Employees - What do I need to do?

Don't panic, for right now, don't do anything. Your existing ChromeOS devices will continue to work as usual until and continue to work long after they stop getting updates. There is no reason to stop buying ChromeOS devices or to migrate to another platform.