According to 9to5Google, Google accidentally leaked the full details of a new Android desktop interface codenamed "ALOS" (Aluminum OS) while handling an error report in the Chromium Issue Tracker. This system is seen as a fusion of Android and ChromeOS, aiming to unify Google's desktop and mobile experiences.

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The leaked demo video shows the system running on an HP Chromebook equipped with 12th generation Intel Core processors, based on the unreleased "Android 16" development. Unlike current screen mirroring or simple tablet mode, Aluminum OS has undergone a deep restructuring for large-screen logic:

  • Deep Integration with Gemini AI: A prominent Gemini icon appears in the status bar, indicating that Google's AI assistant has been deeply integrated as a core system-level feature, permeating the desktop experience.

  • Full-Feature Chrome Ecosystem: The Chrome browser running on the desktop supports the complete plugin (extension) ecosystem, breaking the previous limitations of mobile Chrome functionality.

  • Large-Screen Optimized Layout: The status bar logic aligns more with the desktop side, displaying detailed date and time (accurate to seconds) on the left, while the right side integrates notifications, signal, battery, and input method indicators in the style of Android 16.

Industry analysts believe that the exposure of ALOS indicates that Google is accelerating its "unified desktop platform" plan. By combining the strengths of the Android ecosystem with the desktop productivity of ChromeOS, Google is expected to compete more effectively with Apple and Microsoft in the tablet and 2-in-1 device market.