Google’s Aluminium OS timeline surfaces, ChromeOS could be phased out by 2034

Google’s next-generation desktop platform, reportedly called Aluminium OS, has resurfaced in fresh reports linked to legal proceedings. Newly revealed details hint at development timelines and long-term plans that could reshape Google’s operating system ecosystem.

Court documents reveal Aluminium OS rollout timeline

According to documents uncovered from the ongoing US antitrust case against Google, the company may take longer than expected to bring Aluminium OS to market. While earlier discussions suggested a 2026 launch window, internal references indicate that only limited access for “commercial trusted testers” could begin around late 2026.

A broader public release is now believed to be targeted for 2028, with enterprise and education customers receiving the platform around the same timeframe. The operating system is described as a unified desktop experience combining elements of Android and ChromeOS.

Rather than being an entirely new framework, Aluminium OS is expected to build on Android’s core stack while retaining some familiar ChromeOS concepts. Early leaked visuals reportedly show a hybrid design language, blending desktop productivity features with Android-style interface elements.

Future of ChromeOS

The same legal filings suggest that ChromeOS may gradually be phased out, with a tentative end-of-life timeline around 2034. This timeline appears linked to Google’s existing commitment to provide long-term software support for Chromebooks, many of which launched in recent years with promised updates lasting up to ten years.

Regulatory requirements in certain regions also influence how quickly such transitions can happen. Reports also indicate that Google has already explored strategies to ensure a smooth migration from ChromeOS to Aluminium OS, particularly for enterprise and education sectors where Chromebooks remain widely adopted.

While Google has not officially confirmed these dates, the information points toward a significant shift in how the company approaches desktop computing, potentially positioning Aluminium OS as a competitor to established platforms like Windows and macOS in the coming years.

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Keep following Unboxed by Croma for all the updates about Google’s Aluminium OS.