Google’s new “Aluminium” project is the Android-based future of ChromeOS, and we have the first details

***UPDATED 1/24/26 to reflect the clarification that “Aluminium” is the project name, not the actual OS name.***

For months, we’ve known that a massive shift was coming as Google has been somewhat-openly discussing its plans to merge the foundations of ChromeOS and Android to create a unified platform that leverages the best of both worlds. But until now, we didn’t have a name for sure. Thanks to a new report from Android Authority, we now know the official codename for this ambitious project: Aluminium.

What we know about the “Aluminium” project

The name was spotted in a Google job listing for a “Senior Product Manager, Android, Laptop and Tablets”. The listing explicitly states the team is “working on a new Aluminium, Android-based, operating system”. The name itself fits Google’s history perfectly—like Chromium, Aluminium is a metal ending in “-ium,” a clever nod to its roots.

But this is more than just a rebrand. The job listing confirms that “Aluminium” is being built with “Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the core”. This aligns with everything we’ve heard about Google’s desire to bring its full AI stack, including Gemini models and assistants, deeply into the desktop environment.

It’s not just for budget laptops

There have been circulating fears that an Android-based desktop OS might be relegated to cheap, low-power devices. The job listing dispels that notion entirely. It mentions curating a portfolio of devices across various tiers, including “AL Entry,” “AL Mass Premium,” and “AL Premium”.

This confirms that Google isn’t just aiming for the budget classroom laptop; they are targeting the high-end market to compete directly with premium Windows laptops and MacBooks. The roadmap also includes a wide range of form factors: laptops, detachables, tablets, and even “boxes” (likely Chromebox-style mini-PCs).

What happens to ChromeOS?

This is the big question. The job listing suggests a transition period where ChromeOS and “Aluminium” will co-exist. The role involves driving the roadmap for both platforms. However, it also explicitly mentions developing a strategy to transition “Google from ChromeOS to Aluminium with business continuity in the future”.

This effectively confirms the long-term goal: ChromeOS as we know it will likely one day be replaced by “Aluminium”. We don’t have a concrete timeline, but reports suggest a launch around 2026. It’s a massive undertaking, and there will likely be twists and turns along the way – but at least we have a working code name to be on the lookout for moving forward.