**Google's Aluminum OS: The Android Unification Play That Changes Everything**

Google is quietly building something big—Aluminum OS, an Android-powered operating system designed to replace ChromeOS and finally merge phones, tablets, and PCs under one roof. This is Google's boldest desktop move since Chromebooks launched over a decade ago.

Job postings and dev logs reveal the real scope: Google is building Android PCs for laptops, tablets, detachables, and desktop boxes, spanning entry-level to premium tiers ("AL Mass Premium" and "AL Premium"). Translation? They're not just targeting budget markets anymore—they want Android machines competing across the full spectrum.

Here's what makes this huge:

**The AI Integration**
Aluminium OS is built around Google's Gemini AI from the ground up. The strategy: bring premium phone AI capabilities to a broader range of personal computers. Paired with Qualcomm's AI-focused chips, this could reshape how people interact with desktops.

**The Timeline**
- Currently testing builds on Android 16 using MediaTek Kompanio 520 and Intel Alder Lake
- First public release expected 2026 on Android 17
- ChromeOS and Aluminum will coexist during transition; ChromeOS is heading toward retirement (already called "ChromeOS Classic" internally)
- Some existing Chromebooks may get upgrade paths, older hardware on legacy track

**What This Means**
Google is betting that unified Android across devices—powered by AI and cutting-edge silicon—beats fragmented platforms. For context: this represents a strategic reversal after years of internal debate about merging these operating systems.

The first-gen hardware is being built with Qualcomm, so expect tight integration optimized for performance.

Still unclear: final UI, migration mechanics, and whether Google pushes "Android" branding or keeps "ChromeOS" as a wrapper. Either way, this is Google's attempt to compete seriously in the PC market—not as a budget play, but as a platform shift.

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