What you want to know
- Following an interview with Google’s Dave Burke, it appears that evidently a earlier demonstration of ChromeOS on Android was nothing greater than a demo.
- It seems as if the corporate was concerned about seeing if the aptitude for Android to run ChromeOS by way of its AVF might work — and it might probably.
- A earlier demo was reportedly proven to company companions in non-public utilizing a Pixel 8’s show output capabilities.
Google is dashing any hope of ChromeOS arriving on Android as an interview with a notable member suggests it was only a take a look at.
In keeping with Mishaal Rahman (Android Authority), an interview with Google’s Dave Burke, vice chairman of engineering for Android detailed what’s taking place with ChromeOS and Android. Burke stated that the corporate’s “tech demo” of the Ferrochrome mission was aimed to see its virtualization know-how in motion.
Burke added that the software program might solely get off the bottom due to the AVF (android virtualization framework) launched in Android 13. This framework delivered a secure setting for “extremely” delicate code.
What Google was playtesting was the safe computing aspect of Android. As Burke acknowledged, most of it’s reportedly carried out by way of TrustZone, which is not “as secure as digital machines.” Whereas TrustZone usually works off ARM CPUs, the digital machines are a “cleaner, safer approach to run compartmentalized safe code.”
The tech demo was carried out by way of Android 15, a software program that Google has up to date with a brand new AVF to run its graphical working techniques by way of a digital machine. This functionality comes with GPU acceleration, as properly. Nonetheless, the take a look at was only a proof of idea to see if such capabilities might exist.
Google’s Sameer Samat chimed in, stating that issues usually “begin like this” on the firm. Sadly, it appears anybody’s hopes of ChromeOS on Android are squandered as Google has no plans of constant — not less than, for now.
It was beforehand rumored that Google was within the course of of making its personal Samsung DeX-like computing setting by way of ChromeOS. Throughout a non-public occasion, customers noticed a Pixel 8 working the Chromium OS variant often called “Ferrochrome.” The demo showcased the most recent Pixel flagship using its show output performance by way of the OS.
There wasn’t a lot else proven through the occasion apart from the machine’s (and the software program’s) functionality to run the computing software program.