What you’ll want to know
- A leaked Chromium bug report has revealed the primary display screen recording of Google’s upcoming Aluminium OS desktop platform.
- Aluminium OS appears to be like much like ChromeOS and Android 16 desktop mode, with split-screen apps and acquainted UI components.
- The leak reveals UI adjustments like a taller standing bar, Android-style icons, and up to date window controls and cursor.
We’d have simply gotten our first have a look at Google’s upcoming Aluminium OS desktop, which is predicted to ultimately exchange ChromeOS, due to a Chromium Concern Tracker itemizing.
Google is thought to be merging ChromeOS with Android right into a full-fledged desktop OS internally known as Aluminium OS. Whereas we had solely heard about this platform till now, we lastly have our first have a look at it. 9to5Google noticed a bug report on the Chromium Concern Tracker that features a display screen recording of a laptop computer working Aluminium OS.
Based on the report, the recording reveals an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook supposedly working an inside ‘ALOS’ construct. Entry to the bug report has since been restricted by Google, however the publication managed to protect the display screen recording.
What the leaked Aluminium OS desktop really reveals
The video reveals two Chrome Dev home windows working in a split-screen structure. At first look, Aluminium OS appears to be like similar to ChromeOS and seems closely impressed by Android 16’s desktop mode, which isn’t stunning. Nonetheless, there are just a few notable adjustments price mentioning.
For starters, the standing bar on the prime seems barely taller than what we presently see on ChromeOS units. The recording reveals the date and time on the left facet of the bar, whereas the precise facet contains icons for Gemini, Android 16-style Wi-Fi and battery indicators, a display screen recording icon, and an ‘EN’ language indicator, seemingly for the keyboard.
Much like Android 16’s desktop mode, the beginning button sits close to the middle of the underside bar. One notable change is the mouse cursor, which now incorporates a small tail. As anticipated from a desktop OS, window controls for minimizing, maximizing, and shutting seem on the precise facet of every window.
Android Central’s Take
General, this seems to be our first unintentional glimpse of Aluminium OS. There is not a lot that stands out but, but it surely does affirm that Google is actively engaged on the challenge and getting ready to maneuver towards a unified desktop platform.
It additionally makes me extra looking forward to Android-powered PCs later this 12 months. I am curious to see whether or not they can actually exchange my Mac, contemplating Aluminium OS can run Chrome absolutely, together with extensions, as seen within the recording shared by the publication.
With a number of manufacturers working with Google and Qualcomm on Android PCs for 2026, this leak suggests the platform is lastly beginning to take form.