Confused about what Aluminum OS is? Previous reports revealed that Google is working on its first AI-powered operating system called Aluminum OS (ALOS), which merges Android’s app ecosystem with a desktop-focused interface. It was said that ALOS will be replacing ChromeOS.
This ALOS is expected to be released this year, though the exact launch timeline is not known yet. Ahead of its rumoured launch, a Google bug report on the Chromium issue tracker seems to have leaked the Android desktop interface (via @9to5Google).
The report revealed two screen captures, and the device that was being recorded was revealed to be the HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook [board/codename Byra(Redrix)] that runs a 12th Gen Intel Core (AlderLake-U) processor from 2021. While the build number for ALOS is desktop Android’s codename- ZL1A.260119.001.A1, which is identified as Android 16.
The videos below show Brya(Redrix) CHROME BUILD: 145.0.7587.4 (Dev before upgrade) and 146.0.7634.0 (Dev after upgrade) ALOS: ZL1A.260119.001.A1.
Image/Video credit: 9to5Google
The status bar appears to be taller and more optimised for large screens when compared to tablets and phone-projected desktop mode. The top row presents time (with seconds) followed by date, while the right side shows the Android 16 M3E battery icon, WiFi, a notification bell icon, “EN”, Gemini icon and screen recorder pill. The recording interface resembles the mobile version, and the mouse cursor has been slightly modified.
Image/Video credit: 9to5Google
There is also an example of split-screen multitasking shown in the video. Google Chrome mostly aligns with the current large-screen Android version (except for the Extension buttons), while desktop windowing also seems to be unchanged.
During the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit last year, Google’s SVP of Devices and Services, Rick Osterloh, officially announced that the company is working on an Android-based PC. Google is planning to combine ChromeOS and Android into a single platform.
