Google appears to have cancelled a major Google I/O announcement at the last minute.
We reported last month that there had been signs Google was preparing to add Android app support to Chrome OS in a recent developer build.
As 9to5Google points out, it seems as if Google was intending to announce such a feature on the opening day of Google I/O, but it appears to have changed its mind late in the day. A recent session description on the Google I/O website read as follows:
“Today we announced that we’re adding the best mobile app experiences in the world, Android apps and the Google Play store, to the best browser in the world, Chrome! Come to this session and test your Android apps for Chrome OS. You will get hands on help from our friendly engineers on how to optimize your Android app for Chromebooks. Oh, and we will also be giving the first 50 developers to show up a free Chromebook so they can get a head start bringing their apps to Chrome!”
Suffice to say, there was no such announcement during the opening day of Google I/O.
Interestingly, as Phandroid reports, Google has pulled the description and session title and replaced it with another one:
“In this session we will show you how to optimize your apps for select new features in Android M and Android N. This includes features as multi-window, keyboard & trackpad support. This will be a hands on session where you will learn and be able to test and optimize your apps with help from Google team members.”
Related: Toshiba Chromebook 2 review
There’s no mention of Play Store integration for Chrome OS in this new description. Nor is there any indication as to why Google might have changed its mind.
One thing’s for (almost) sure, though – we’ll soon be using Android apps on our Chromebooks.
Next, take a look at our Tablets vs Laptops video:
Would you be interested in using Android apps on your laptop?
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.