Dominant in its own right in so many segments of tech, Google, however, has had little success in the high-end tablet market. Apple's iPad is the leader, and neither Android nor Chrome OS has made any serious inroads.

However, the latest report suggests that the search engine giant has plans to merge Android and Chrome OS to catch up in the iPad race. But, does that make sense?

A Unified Android Platform

Google Might Attempt to 'Turn Chrome OS into Android'

Google reportedly worked on a multi-year project to integrate Chrome OS entirely into Android. Unlike earlier reports indicating a completely different new operating system, Google is strategically combining its efforts by switching Chrome OS to a version of Android.

This means that the unified platform would supercharge Chromebooks and potentially unseat Apple in terms of tablet and productivity markets.

The Chrome OS Transformation to Android

Hints of this shift came in June when Google announced that Chrome OS was going to draw more freely from the Android stack, drawing on its Linux kernel and frameworks.

Chrome OS already uses some Android technologies, like the Fluoride Bluetooth stack. Some of the most important developments are:

• Android-based Chrome with Extensions Support: Preparing to build a new version of Chrome for Android to achieve the functionality of Chrome OS.
• Linux App Compatibility: Develop a Linux application in the terminal for Android to match Chrome OS's project Crostini feature.

These improvements are done to equate features between Android and Chrome OS so that switching will be seamless.

Upcoming Features for Android on Laptops

To be able to make Android a substitute for Chrome OS, Google would be adding several important upgrades:

Starting from Android 15, the desktop windowing improvements would make Android quite unproblematic in terms of multitasking. Apart from that, different peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and external Monitor integration are included.

Furthermore, there are also multiple desktop features made to simulate a typical laptop experience. According to Android Authority, these updates will help both laptops and tablets, including the rumored Pixel Tablet 2, make Android an operating system that's far more versatile.

What Other Benefits Will Merging Android and Chrome OS Gain?

Unifying Chrome OS and Android will expand the user base, thereby attracting more developers to the platform. With increased revenue potential, Android could see an increase in available apps and innovation.

At the same time, this strategy lays the groundwork for the battle of giants, pitting Google against Apple's supremacy, especially mobile productivity.

Apple has been afraid of introducing advanced productivity features on the iPad so as not to cannibalize MacBook sales, thus giving Google the opportunity to fill in the gap.

But Is It Reasonable?

According to GSM Arena, turning Chrome OS into Android does not make any sense at all since it won't be a clear assurance that Google would compete better with the iPad.

They might serve different markets since Chrome OS was created to cater to cheap laptops, while iPads are deemed to be expensive tablets.

But do you think about Google's latest move? Is it good or confusing?