The convergence of single operating systems on many devices is something Apple worked out early, and other companies took a while to see the potential of, like Microsoft and Google. All three of these companies started out as something different from one another and became competitors through their paths intertwining and converging. Google’s start is far removed from Apple or Microsoft’s, with the company starting out as a search engine before branching out into more and more areas.
Google’s Android OS is the biggest OS for users, covering an amazing range of devices. Android’s biggest plus is how developers and users can manipulate and change the software on their smartphones to do more than use apps and connect to those around us. Microsoft has brought out Windows 10 as its operating system for all devices. Windows 10 has a head start on PCs and laptops but lags behind Google and Apple with Windows phones not being very popular. Android has a huge market share of mobile devices, including smartphones, phablets and PCs. Google’s Chromebook, an attempt at a simplified OS on a laptop has around a 3% market share of laptop sales. So, not many people are using Chromebooks that has a browser-centric design for online use.
Alphabet Inc’s Google has the idea of folding the Chrome and Android operating systems together to give one complete experience through a range of devices. Android’s method of downloading and using apps from the internal storage of the smartphone was more popular with users than the web and browser-centric operating systems. It’s not hard to understand why, as internet access isn’t 100% all of the time and there are times when an app needs to be used but can’t be due to there being no connectivity available.
Developers and users will benefit from the combining of Google’s two operating systems. Google’s Play Store will come to laptops, meaning that apps will be consistent across platforms. Seamless connectivity with all devices having information synced, settings and functions working in the same way across all devices helps to improve productivity and entertainment for users. Developers will have their apps available for more devices and will be able to get more creative and abstract with how apps and hardware can work together.
Chrome and Android are both based on Linux open-source software. Despite this connection, the two operating systems are different beasts. Connecting the two into the one OS may prove difficult, but it’s unlikely the challenge is beyond Google’s capabilities.
Source: WSJ
