First Look at Google’s Aluminium OS That Could Power Galaxy Chromebooks

Google has already confirmed plans to replace Chrome OS with Aluminium OS (codename), which merges Chrome OS and Android into a single platform. While not every Galaxy Chromebook will receive the update, we now have our first look at the interface.

Google may have leaked Aluminium OS, its next-gen Chrome OS replacement

First spotted by our friends over at 9to5Google, Google may have accidentally leaked the upcoming Aluminium OS (or Android for PC) interface. It appeared in a bug report about Chrome Incognito tabs that also included two screenshots. Now, let’s take a look at what the interface has in store.

According to the report, it’s running on the HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook. The images show a straightforward desktop-style setup, with two Chrome Dev windows split right down the middle in a 50:50 layout. Both windows have multiple tabs open, along with a visible extension icon.

There’s also a build label pointing to ALOS, short for Aluminium OS. Interestingly, the Chrome window on the left lists Android 16, which lines up with recent reports that Aluminium OS is closely tied to Android’s desktop mode. 

At the top, there’s a status bar with a screen recording indicator, the Gemini icon, and Android 16 Wi-Fi and battery icons. The taskbar is visible as well, with the Start button shifted closer to the center, unlike Chrome OS, which keeps it in the bottom left. The taskbar includes Calendar, Chrome, File Manager, Google Photos, and YouTube. You can also spot the usual windowed desktop UI, along with the Play Store running on the device.

Now, we can’t wait to hear more about the Android-based version of Chrome OS. Google hasn’t shared any details on when the rollout will begin, but we’re keeping a close eye on related developments. It already looks like a long-overdue and genuinely meaningful upgrade for Chromebooks.