Google Leaks 'Aluminium OS': The End of ChromeOS as We Know It

Google is reportedly replacing ChromeOS with Aluminium OS (ALOS), a unified, Android 16-based platform designed for desktops. Leaked videos confirm a shift from web-first architecture to a native Android core, featuring local AI via Gemini Nano and a desktop-class Chrome browser with full extension support.

The long-rumored merger of Google’s two OS giants is finally surfacing, and it’s looking more like a takeover than a marriage. A massive leak, courtesy of a restricted Google bug report spotted by 9to5Google, has outed Aluminium OS (ALOS)—the platform set to succeed ChromeOS. This isn’t just a UI skin; it’s a fundamental re-engineering that moves Google’s laptops onto an Android 16 foundation.

If you’ve been tracking the Indian laptop market lately, you’ll know that Chromebooks have largely been relegated to the education sector or ultra-budget buyers. However, with ALOS, Google is clearly eyeing the premium space dominated by the Apple MacBook Air and Samsung’s Galaxy Book series. Kicking things off with the technicals, the leak showcases the OS running on a high-end HP Elite Dragonfly (currently retailing in India for roughly Rs. 2,22,090 via importers), proving that this "Android for PC" isn't limited to low-power ARM chips—it's thriving on Intel x86 hardware too.

5 Big Things We Know So Far

1. Android Core: Unlike ChromeOS, where the browser is the OS, ALOS treats Chrome as an app that can be updated via the Play Store without a system reboot.
2. AI at the Center: The OS utilizes Android 16’s AICore, allowing local execution of Gemini Nano. This is a massive jump over the clunky NPU handling in current ChromeOS builds.
3. Desktop Chrome on Android: For the first time, we see the Android version of Chrome sporting a dedicated Extensions button, bridging the biggest productivity gap between tablets and PCs.
4. Hardware Requirements: ALOS likely requires Chromebook Plus specs (built-in NPU and virtualization support). Older "classic" Chromebooks might be left behind.
5. Steam Shutdown: Google officially killed the Steam for Chromebook Beta on January 1, 2026, signaling a pivot toward this new architecture.

Design & Cameras: A Pixel-Like Makeover

Visually, Aluminium OS feels like a "best of" compilation. The leaked footage reveals a taller status bar at the top, much more optimized for 13 or 14-inch displays than the current mobile-first Android taskbar. We noticed a very distinct Android 16 "M3E" style for the battery and Wi-Fi icons, and—unsurprisingly—a dedicated Gemini icon sits prominently in the tray.

The "Start" button has moved toward the center, mirroring the aesthetic shift we've seen in recent Windows 11 updates, though it retains the clean, Material You aesthetic Google is known for. Window management looks identical to ChromeOS, with standard minimize/close buttons, but the multi-tasking feels snappier. In our experience tracking Google's software iterations, this level of polish suggests we are much closer to a public beta than the "years away" timeline some analysts predicted.

The Bigger Picture: Why Kill Steam and ChromeOS?

The termination of the Steam Beta on New Year's Day 2026 was the first red flag. For years, Google tried to force high-end gaming via Linux containers (Crostini), but it was always a bit of a "supply chain headache." Most Indian buyers weren't willing to spend Rs. 60,000+ on a Chromebook just to run a handful of certified Steam games poorly.

By moving to ALOS, Google is betting on two things: Cloud Gaming and Native Android Apps. With Android 16’s improved Linux terminal and GPU acceleration through the Android Virtualization Framework (AVF), local gaming isn't dead—it's just changing. It seems plausible that Google wants a cleaner slate where apps don't have to jump through "Chrome-shaped" hoops to talk to the hardware.

Insider Insight: From covering mid-range launches over the years, we’ve seen Google struggle to explain why a user should buy a high-end Chromebook over a Windows laptop. ALOS simplifies the pitch: "It's your phone's apps and AI, but on a pro-grade laptop."

Comparison: ALOS Prospects vs. Indian Rivals

As ALOS-ready hardware begins to surface, it will face stiff competition in the Indian market. Here is how the current landscape looks for those considering a "Premium Chrome" experience versus traditional rivals.

What This Means for Indian Buyers Today

If you’re currently browsing Flipkart or Amazon India for a new laptop, the ALOS leak should give you pause. We’ve noticed a pattern in past Google rollouts: hardware compatibility is often a "line in the sand" moment.

If you buy a budget Chromebook today—say, something like the HP Chromebook MediaTek Kompanio (roughly Rs. 21,490) or the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet—you are highly likely to be stuck on "Classic" ChromeOS. These devices lack the virtualization features and NPU "oomph" required to run ALOS’s AI-heavy stack.

However, if you're eyeing a Chromebook Plus model like the Acer Spin 714, you might have a path forward. Our advice? If you want a device that will actually get the ALOS upgrade, look for:

• An NPU (Neural Processing Unit) for AI tasks.
• At least 8GB of RAM (though 16GB is the "ALOS sweet spot").
• x86 (Intel/AMD) or Qualcomm Snapdragon chips with virtualization support.

Price & Availability in India

While Google hasn't officially announced a launch date, the build number ZL1A.260119.001.A1 points to a version compiled just weeks ago in January 2026. This could suggest a debut at Google I/O 2026.

In India, we expect the first wave of ALOS-native laptops to be priced competitively against the Nothing Phone-style mid-premium segment. Expect base models to start around Rs. 40,000, with high-end "Dragonfly-class" machines going well into six figures. We'll have to wait and watch if Google offers any aggressive bank offers or exchange programs to migrate "Classic" users over.

Key Specifications and Features (Based on Leaks)

• Kernel: Unified Android 16-based Linux kernel.
• Browser: Full desktop Chrome with extension support.
• Updates: Decoupled app updates (Chrome browser updates like an app).
• Multitasking: Improved 50/50 split-screen and free-form windowing.
• AI: Native AICore integration for Gemini-powered features.
• Linux Support: Built on Android Virtualization Framework (AVF).

Verdict: A Game-Changer or Another "Fuchsia"?

Google has a habit of starting "revolutionary" projects and then quietly moving the goalposts (Project LaCrOs, anyone?). However, the integration of ALOS with the Android 16 roadmap feels more deliberate. By folding ChromeOS into Android, Google isn't just simplifying its portfolio; it's giving its laptops a massive library of millions of apps that actually work, rather than the hit-or-miss "web apps" we have now.

For the Indian student or professional who lives in the Google ecosystem, this could be the most significant shift since the original launch of the Chromebook. It makes the "Android PC" a reality, finally positioning Google to take a real swing at the Microsoft-Apple duopoly.

Editorial Note: Reviewed and edited by Gnaneshwar Gaddam, Senior Tech Editor with over 15 years writing and editing for leading Indian technology news platforms.