Watch out Windows and MacOS ... Here comes Android OS!
Android is set to challenge Windows and Apple by launching its first laptop and PC operating system, Aluminium OS, in 2026, aiming to enhance the user experience across Google devices. Picture: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
Image: JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
The long-running debate on which is better— Android or Apple— just became a lot more complex.
For the first time, Android is dipping its toe into laptop and PC operating systems (OS).
Android is the dominant force in smartphone OS, with it commanding at least 70% market share.
In comparison, Apple’s iOS only has around 17% minimum.
Android’s Aluminium OS: A Seamless Experience for Google Devices
Android is part of the Google ecosystem, and therefore the new OS will likely replace Chrome OS. Google’s laptop range— ChromeBooks— are currently the major adopters of Chrome OS.
The new OS by Android is codenamed Aluminium OS.
Aluminium OS is set to be used in conjunction with the release of Android 17, which is expected midway through 2026. However, this will be the developer release, mainly for testing purposes, and the public release is set to be towards the end of the year.
The main reason for the new OS is to make the user experience for Google devices more seamless, following in the footsteps of Apple, who pride themselves on a unifying experience across all its platforms.
Microsoft Faces January Challenges: Copilot Renaming, AI Issues, and Windows 11 Update Disruptions
The news comes as competitor Microsoft had a January to forget. First, it was the renaming of Microsoft 365 to a rather unoriginal Microsoft 365 Copilot.
Next, major problems were discovered with Copilot (Microsoft’s AI assistant), and then the latest Windows 11 update broke the widely used Notepad app.
With Microsoft 365 Copilot, the tech giant said the name was changed because of its integration with Copilot.
As for the problems with Windows 11, scores of Windows users reported that their apps Notepad, Outlook, OneDrive, and Dropbox stopped working after the latest update.