Months of anticipation for Google’s ChromeOS/Android hybrid, codenamed Aluminium OS, have finally produced the first glimpses of the platform in action.
The footage surfaced via a bug report related to Chrome Incognito tabs on Google’s Issue Tracker, which included two screen recordings from a device running Aluminium OS. While Google has since restricted access to the report, 9to5Google captured the videos before they were removed.
According to the bug tracker, the recordings originated from an HP Elite Dragonfly 13.5 Chromebook and referenced an ‘ALOS’ software version, confirming that ALOS is the initialism for Aluminium OS.
The videos, later shared on YouTube by Android Authority, show the OS running Android 16, with a build number matching the one mentioned in the report.
The early footage reveals a mashup of ChromeOS and Android elements. The taskbar resembles ChromeOS but places the start button at the center, reminiscent of Android. A status bar at the top mirrors Android’s design, showing familiar icons for battery, Wi-Fi, and notifications. The videos also offer a brief look at the Google Play Store and split-screen multitasking, though the coverage is limited.
Aluminium OS appears to be tested on existing Chromebooks, as Android head Sameer Samat previously indicated, with more official details expected later this year. While the current footage provides only a glimpse, it confirms Google’s ongoing work to bring a hybrid Android experience to ChromeOS devices.
