Android Must Reclaim Its Linux Roots to Compete with PCs

Google is reportedly working on a new version of Android designed specifically for PCs, marking a significant shift in its long-term strategy. After years of treating Android and ChromeOS as separate, siloed platforms, the company is now aiming to unify its mobile and desktop experiences under a common technical foundation. This move, hinted at during Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit by Google VP Rick Osterloh, could position Android as a genuine alternative to Windows and macOS—provided it learns from its past and reclaims its roots. The vision is clear: a powerful, AI-driven desktop operating system built on Android’s core, but evolved for larger screens and traditional computing workflows. Osterloh emphasized that Google is combining its efforts across devices, leveraging its AI stack—including the Gemini models—and expanding its developer ecosystem into the PC space. This suggests the new OS will deeply integrate AI features, potentially placing Gemini front and center in the user interface, much like Microsoft’s Copilot on Windows 11. However, simply porting Android apps to a desktop screen won’t cut it. Users expect more than a scaled-up mobile experience. They want full compatibility with productivity tools, gaming platforms like Steam, and professional software. The real challenge lies in making Android truly functional beyond smartphones—especially given the limitations of mobile apps on large displays. Google must move beyond the current ChromeOS model, which still feels constrained by its browser-first design and limited file management. ChromeOS has long been criticized for its simplicity at the cost of flexibility. Tasks like cropping images or managing complex file structures remain clunky. A successful Android-based PC OS needs to offer a clean, customizable interface that supports traditional desktop workflows—multiple windows, drag-and-drop file operations, full keyboard shortcuts, and seamless multi-monitor setups. Moreover, users are increasingly resistant to walled gardens. Google’s insistence on controlling app distribution through the Play Store has faced legal challenges and growing backlash. To win over PC users, Google must allow sideloading and third-party app stores without compromising security. The ability to run native Linux apps—especially for developers, gamers, and power users—should be a priority. Perhaps most importantly, Google must embrace Android’s original foundation: the Linux kernel. While Android has evolved into a distinct platform, its roots in open-source Linux offer the perfect blueprint for a flexible, customizable, and powerful desktop OS. Reconnecting with that heritage could give Google the freedom to build an OS that’s not just functional, but truly user-centric. The success of this venture will depend on long-term commitment. Google has a history of abandoning ambitious projects—Stadia being the most notable. This new OS can’t be a side experiment. It must be supported with consistent updates, developer tools, and hardware partnerships, particularly with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X series chips. Ultimately, Android on PC has the potential to be a game-changer—not by mimicking Windows or macOS, but by reimagining what a mobile-first, AI-native operating system can be on a desktop. But to do that, Google must remember where it came from and stop treating the PC as an afterthought.