It seems that the Google Play Store is finding its way to more Chromebooks on the heels of an update to the Developer channel of Chrome OS.
As reported earlier today, Android apps have been confirmed on the Dell 13 and ASUS C301SA.
Being that we like to be thorough (and that we are as curious as toddlers) we began testing any and every device we could get our hands on.
After switching a number of devices to the Developer channel we found, oddly enough, that the Samsung Chromebook 3 has access to the Play Store.
The Samsung houses an older, dual-core Braswell N3050. The ASUS sports the newer, quad-core Braswell N3160. So, it seemed that maybe the Braswell was the key to this newest update.
However, when tested on the Acer Chromebook 14, we were surprisingly disappointed when we found no Android apps. The Acer has, for all intents and purposes, the same internals as the ASUS.
We have also seen Reddit users reporting that the Play Store has shown up on the HP Chromebook 13 G1. We are still working on confirming which processor this HP is equipped with. But, we know it has to be a Pentium or the newer Skylake Core M.
This makes it even more muddled as to the why and when other devices may receive Android apps. While it seems the Braswell-based devices are getting some love, the release is inconsistent.
Core i devices are in the same boat it seems. The Dell 13 has updated with apps. Yet, the Acer Core i5 did not.
That may give us another hint to the tune and reason. Neither Acer device tested received the Play Store. Is it possible that Android apps are also at the OEMs discretion?
The Acer R11 is running them on Stable and the R13 on Beta. Maybe they are holding off on other devices until developers are ready to make the push to the Stable Channel.
Either way, Android apps are arriving. The long awaited “big thing” for Chromebooks is finally becoming a reality.
If you’re looking to get your hands on a device that will run Android apps now and won’t break the bank you can pick up the Samsung Chromebook 3 for a cool $119 this Black Friday.
Has your device picked up the Play Store? Drop a comment below and let us know.