Android for the desktop: Google tests mobile Chrome browser with extensions

Google is apparently planning a radical reorganization of the ChromeOS and Android operating systems with the aim of creating a new desktop operating system. Among other things, the Android version of the Chrome browser is to receive support for extensions.

Google is to interweave the two operating systems to develop a potentially better alternative to Windows and macOS than ChromeOS currently is. One indication of these plans, which have not yet been officially confirmed, is a leaked version of the Chrome Android browser with support for extensions. The latter are currently only available in the desktop versions, such as for Windows and macOS. The new version is explicitly not intended for smartphones or tablets, it is said.

Chrome browser for Android with extensions

As Mishaal Rahman reports on Android Authority, he obtained this special Android version of the Chrome browser. He was able to use it to install well-known Chrome extensions for desktops such as Dark Reader, Keepa and uBlock Origin via drag-and-drop, but the browser did not allow all extensions. Furthermore, support for opening pages with extension options and the "Extensions" button in the toolbar are still missing. Both are essential for many extensions.

This Chrome version is supposedly intended for use in future notebooks and desktop PCs based on the new platform, which is still under development. However, the development status of the Chrome version indicates that it is still at a very early stage of development.

According to the documentation, the discovered Chrome version with the rudimentary extension integration seems to roughly reflect the current state of development. This could mean that Google may not be in a great hurry with the implementation.

Functional parity and support for accessories

According to a report from December 2024, Google wants to bring together the best parts of ChromeOS and Android in order to not only compete with the iPad, but also to develop a unified desktop OS for notebooks. The aim is also to achieve functional parity between ChromeOS and Android.

According to the report, other expected functions include support for keyboards, mice and external monitors. Android is also set to receive more flexible window management in desktop mode. Google is already working on this and it could soon find its way into Android tablets.

(mma)