Spyke
android·AndroidbyLee Duna

Google reveals its Android for PC is coming next year

One of the biggest stories out of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit in Maui isn’t just about Qualcomm — it’s how Google is finally merging Android and ChromeOS to create a new operating system for computers. Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon revealed that it’s finally happening, and now, a Google exec has revealed when it’s happening, too.

It’s “something we’re super excited about for next year,” said Google’s Sameer Samat, head of Android Ecosystem, at the tail end of Qualcomm’s announcement keynote.

No, I'm not excited at all

Google reveals its Android for PC is coming next yearhttps://www.theverge.com/tech/785351/google-reveals-its-android-for-pc-is-coming-next-yearOpen linkView original on lemmy.nz
infosec.pub

I want Linux for Android devices, not Android for Linux devices.

173

Something I'll never understand about Google is that they don't seem to understand that killing every project that isn't instantly super profitable also kills consumer confidence.

I wouldn't even consider using a new Google thing for the first few years of its life since I fully expect it will be chopped sooner or later. Case in point: Killed by Google

101
dmtalonreply
infosec.pub

Which in turn creates a self fulfilling prophecy that they created themselves.

And I also wonder, will it only allow app installs from the app store like they're supposed to be doing on Android for phones?

40
lemmy.dbzer0.com

Right? I would have bought in to Stadia if I had ANY faith in the company behind it.

Also, I thought chrome os could already run android apps?

16

In fairness, they did refund 100% of the people who "bought" it. I say that in quotes because Stadia came free with a game I purchased and they fully refunded the game when they killed stadia since it was only playable through stadia.

10

ChromeOS does run android apps, but to run them well you need 8gb of RAM because both VMs run -Android and Linux.- With this implementation Android apps would run natively, and thus only requiring more ram for Linux apps in the VM they plan to add.

2

And I also wonder, will it only allow app installs from the app store like they're supposed to be doing on Android for phones?

Chromebooks traditionally have a working linux VM, so this is likely not impacted by the change.

And btw, you can still download apps from any website as long as the app is signed by a registered developer.

2

killing every project that isn't instantly super profitable also kills consumer confidence

Does it tho? I mean, I know it does for techies like us but I am not so sure about the gen pop.

5

I'm still using Google Voice (since 2010!), but I never went full-in with it because I don't trust it will exist tomorrow (they've removed a couple features over the years), plus the last thing I want is my text messages going through them.

This is a good reminder that I need to love away from it.

1

So they can show you hyper targeted ads, obviously.

11
BCsvenreply
lemmy.ca

Maybe Android on PC won't have Recall spyware like Windows, but then again just run Linux

8
lemmy.cafe

Instead it has Google Services Spyware, and every app Spyware, and you're not permitted root/admin access to block such things, unlike Windows.

Recall is completely removeable - or do you think a finance enterprise Risk Management would permit operational data to leave the premises?

5

Windows does not give you kernel level access. Its a black box of telemetry, same as google. Even Windows SSH was found to send user name and IP of server that you contact back to Windows HQ, thereby tracking ever users attempts to remote login to a server. That's bad telemetry waiting to be abused by the US government.

Your only choice is Linux now

1

Good luck Google. I'm already pissed that Microsoft is trying to spy on me on my computer - you think I'm gonna let you do that too now?

29
JackbyDevreply
programming.dev

Android is Linux! ☝️🤓

::: spoiler /s I know what you meant, just being a goober. :::

9
programming.dev

If they think I'm going to purchase a computer that will become unsupported between 2-7 years from now and refuse to install the software I want to install, they're insane.

16
cronreply
feddit.org

Chromebooks currently have a 10 year support duration, that's on par with windows and mac.

1

I don't know if we're guaranteed to see the same level of support for Android based devices, and if Google decides they're not marketable enough, they could drop support as soon as before they even launch as they have with previous hardware initiatives.

2
sh.itjust.works

Imagine a world where they extend that new sideload rule to "android for pc". Then they get pc manufacturers to start pushing arm procs instead of normal pc procs. Then all new arm computers come standard with "android for pc", with a locked down bootloader. They become popular because of the tech illiterate who enjoy the fact their pc works the same as their phone. They take over the market with these android pc's.

Then we long for the days of windows, and preloaded linux on new computers becomes even rarer. Remind me in 5 years when im right

14

Sounds like Macos 9 vs windows 95 all over again.

2

It’s an android-x86 based OS. Basically android for PC. There have been builds of android for X86 for a good while now but I can’t imagine using that as a daily driver.

17

Close to useless website. Menu doesnt work (transparency makes it useless at least on mobile) and there is nothing explaining blissos there. What is it? Where, how, when? How much?

1

I want an android-based PC that can be locked down and de-googled like GrapheneOS

6
daq
lemmy.sdf.org

Unpopular opinion, but I like this idea. Google's been promising to develop proper desktop mode for their phones for years. Like Samsung, Oneplus and some others did pretty well. I think this will finally let me plug my phone into a docking station for presentation or a quick email or some other basic task phones already do very well, but let me use mouse, keyboard and a 4k screen.

Right now this functionality is sort of implemented, but is realistically completely unusable.

4
picnicreply
lemmy.world

Different thing. This is chromeos replacement, what you're talking about is just desktop mode for android a la dex

2

I understand, but there is no way this would be significantly different code base. Android that can run on hardware typically running chrome OS is basically already Android in desktop mode minus GSM.

1

That's interesting because they've tried to do this several times now and when they tried a few years ago no one found it exciting so it ended up dropped.

1
J52
lemmy.nz

, don't care, not buying it.

4

yeah... i wonder how long pc mainline can stay x86 but I'm in zero fucking rush to find out.

2

Having used DEX quite a bit over the years, they're going to have major software issues if they don't get developers to make their apps desktop friendly.

  • Many apps hate resizing.
  • Sub-par keyboard and mouse support in lots of apps.
  • UIs concieved to get by on small screens but don't work well.
  • Lightweight mobile versions that don't hold up to their desktop counterparts

This could be good for a lot of casual users if they put the effort in to execute it well. It could also grow android tablet and phone sales. The idea of a single unified platform for desktop and mobile could be helpful for a lot of users. Especially if one device can do both.

4

I went through the hassle of getting Waydroid set up but i honestly dont see the point in having android on the desktop

4

i already ditched chromeos because its a free heater if you run anything more professional than webapps on an poor i3 8th gen

2

Sounds interesting

I think we could really use some more diversity in the desktop space. If Lineage ever gets ported to a laptop I would be down to daily drive it.

1