Aluminium: Why Google’s Android for PC launch may be messy and controversial

“Finally.” That was Sean Hollister’s first reaction upon hearing that Google would combine Android and ChromeOS into a single operating system. 

Android has long struggled on tablets, and ChromeOS always felt like a stripped-down alternative to Windows and Mac. A leaked first glimpse of Google’s Aluminium OS hinted at a laptop codenamed Ruby and a high-end tablet called Sapphire.

But the rollout may be slower than fans expect. Previously unreported court documents from Google’s search antitrust case suggest a full release won’t happen until 2028.

Sameer Samat, Google’s head of Android, told The Verge in August 2025, “We’re working hard on it,” aiming for a 2026 launch. Google’s lawyers, however, flagged that the “fastest path” involves offering Aluminium to “commercial trusted testers” in late 2026, with enterprise and education sectors seeing the OS in 2028.

Not all Chromebooks will support Aluminium, meaning ChromeOS will remain active at least through 2033 to honor Google’s “10-year support commitment.” John Maletis, head of ChromeOS, confirmed that while newer devices may migrate to Aluminium, legacy devices will continue receiving updates.

Court filings also revealed Google plans to phase out ChromeOS by 2034, constrained by device support rules. 

Judge Amit Mehta ultimately allowed Google to retain Chrome and exempted ChromeOS and its successor from self-preferencing bans, noting in part that “Chrome is a necessary component of a ChromeOS device.”

Industry watchers caution that if Aluminium primarily functions as Android for PCs while prioritizing Google apps and services, it could reinforce Google’s browser and app monopoly. Some experts even suggest the OS might be shielded from portions of Epic Games v. Google.

Google declined to comment on Project Aluminium’s timeline or court documents.