What you need to know
- A leaked Chromium bug report has unveiled the first screen recording of Google’s forthcoming Aluminium OS desktop platform.
- Aluminium OS bears a resemblance to both ChromeOS and the desktop mode of Android 16, featuring split-screen applications and recognizable user interface elements.
- The leak highlights various UI modifications, including a taller status bar, Android-inspired icons, and refreshed window controls along with a new cursor design.
In an intriguing turn of events, the tech community has caught a glimpse of Google’s anticipated Aluminium OS desktop, poised to eventually succeed ChromeOS. This revelation comes courtesy of a listing on the Chromium Issue Tracker, where a screen recording of a laptop operating on Aluminium OS was discovered by 9to5Google.
Aluminium OS appears to draw heavily from the aesthetics of ChromeOS while integrating elements from Android 16’s desktop mode, a move that aligns with Google’s strategy of merging these two platforms into a cohesive desktop experience. The recording showcases several noteworthy alterations that set Aluminium OS apart.
One of the most striking changes is the status bar, which has been designed to be slightly taller than its ChromeOS counterpart. In the recording, the left side of the bar displays the date and time, while the right features icons reminiscent of Android 16, including indicators for Wi-Fi, battery life, a screen recording feature, and a language setting (notably marked as ‘EN’ for English).
Similar to the layout seen in Android 16’s desktop mode, the start button is centrally positioned on the bottom bar. Additionally, the mouse cursor has received a subtle redesign, now sporting a small tail. As is customary for desktop operating systems, the window controls for minimizing, maximizing, and closing are conveniently located on the right side of each window.
Android Central’s Take
This accidental preview of Aluminium OS offers a tantalizing glimpse into Google’s ongoing development efforts. While the features showcased may not be groundbreaking, they affirm that Google is diligently working towards a unified desktop platform.
The anticipation surrounding Android-powered PCs is palpable as we look ahead to their expected launch later this year. The potential of Aluminium OS to seamlessly run Chrome, complete with extensions, raises questions about its ability to rival established systems like the Mac. With various brands collaborating with Google and Qualcomm on Android PCs slated for 2026, this leak suggests that the vision for Aluminium OS is beginning to crystallize.
