It looks like Android and Chrome might join forces after all.
If recent rumours hold any truth, Google could be preparing to bring over a million Android apps to its web-based Chrome operating system.
Intrepid Reddit user TheWiseYoda uncovered a hidden option in Chrome OS’ settings that theoritcally looks like it enables access to a significant section of the Google Play Store, including both apps and games. The setting, at least so far, appears to be inactive, though it is accompanied by the description, “choose from over a million apps and games on Google Play to install and use on your Chromebook.”
Another Reddit user, InauspiciousPagan, uncovered an opt-in screen that looks like it will be displayed when a user enables Android apps in Chrome OS.
It’s likely Google is preparing to reveal Android apps for Chrome OS at the company’s annual I/O developer conference in mid May. Last year, The Wall Street Journal reported that Google was preparing to “fold” Chrome OS into Android by 2017, in an effort to create one universal mobile platform that also includes the PC. It’s possible that adding a collection of Android apps to Chrome OS is the first step in this gradual process.
This also isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Android apps coming to Chrome OS. Back at I/O 2014, Google revealed its “App Runtime for Chrome” platform, though only a small selection of Android apps made their way to Chrome OS. The list includes: Duolingo, Evernote, Sight Words and Vine.
Chrome OS was also recently given a Material Design makeover, bringing it visually inline with Android as well as Google’s suite of applications.
[source]Reddit (1), (2)[/source]
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