Key Takeaways
1. Aluminium OS, codenamed “ALOS,” is Google’s new desktop version of Android, built on Android 16.
2. The operating system features an optimized interface for larger screens, including a taller taskbar and a new menu bar displaying battery and WiFi status.
3. Users can manage windows similar to Chrome OS, with options to minimize, maximize, and close apps easily.
4. Aluminium OS allows flexible window positioning and resizing, enhancing user experience on Chromebooks.
5. While the release date is unclear, internal testing suggests that Aluminium OS may soon replace Chrome OS on Chromebooks.
Google’s Chromium Issue Tracker has shared fresh insights about Google’s Aluminium OS, but access to this part of the site has since been restricted. Fortunately, 9to5Google managed to capture and release the information and videos just in time. The report states that these videos were recorded on an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook running “ALOS,” which is the internal codename for Aluminium OS, the desktop version of Android developed by Google.
Features and Specifications
This operating system is built on Android 16, as shown by data in Google Chrome. Aluminium OS has been optimized for larger screens when compared to the desktop version of Android 16. It features a taller taskbar and a new menu bar that shows details like battery levels, WiFi status, and active background tasks such as screen recording.
The interface of Google Chrome varies from the Android desktop edition, including an extensions button located beside the address bar. Window management is reminiscent of Chrome OS, where you find buttons for minimize, maximize, and close features in the top right corner, while the name of the app is displayed on the upper left.
User Experience
Users can position windows anywhere on the screen, as well as resize them or utilize a full-screen view. Although the launch date for Aluminium OS remains uncertain, Google’s internal testing of a working version based on Android 16 indicates that a release might be on the horizon. This new operating system is anticipated to take the place of Chrome OS on Chromebooks. It is yet to be seen if Google’s new software will attract more users away from Apple and Microsoft.
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