Google has accidentally pulled back the curtain on its long-rumored plan to turn Android into a full-fledged desktop operating system. A recent bug report published to the Chromium Issue Tracker inadvertently included screen recordings of a new interface codenamed “Aluminium OS” (ALOS).
As spotted by 9to5Google, the leak shows a highly polished version of Android 16 running on an HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook. For years, rumors have suggested that Google might eventually merge ChromeOS and Android. The latest leak confirms Google is testing its new desktop software on existing laptop hardware, rather than just mobile devices.
The leaked videos show an interface that feels like a hybrid of ChromeOS and the desktop mode we have seen in recent Android betas. The status bar at the top of the screen has been redesigned for larger displays. It is taller than the version found on Android tablets and displays the time (including seconds), the date, and new Android 16-style icons for Wi-Fi and battery.
One of the most interesting additions is a dedicated Gemini icon in the status bar, suggesting that Google’s AI will be a central part of the desktop experience. The taskbar at the bottom of the screen remains familiar, but the “Start” button or app launcher has been moved toward the center, mirroring the design language of Windows 11 and macOS.
Perhaps the most exciting detail for power users is the appearance of Google Chrome with full extension support. Historically, the Android version of Chrome has lacked the ability to run extensions, which has been a major barrier for anyone trying to use an Android tablet as a primary work machine.
In the leaked footage, the Chrome browser includes the familiar “Extensions” puzzle piece icon. This suggests that Aluminium OS will offer a “real” desktop browsing experience, allowing users to use their favorite ad blockers, password managers, and productivity tools just as they would on a Mac or PC.
The leak also highlights how Google is handling window management. The videos show apps running in a split-screen layout and as free-form resizable windows. The window controls, including minimize, maximize, and close buttons, look very similar to those found in ChromeOS, located at the top-right of each window.
Interestingly, the mouse cursor in the video has a small “tail,” a subtle design change that helps it stand out on larger displays. The overall experience appears smooth and responsive, indicating that this isn’t just an early experiment but a project that is well into development.
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The only ones I know with Chromebooks are grade 8 and below kids who are forced to get them by their schools so they can lock the students into the school interface. These lower grade school programs will likely disable Gemini anyway to prevent cheating. In higher grades where the cpu is not locked in, the kids usually go with Macbook Airs or a PC. No kid I know will ever willingly choose a Chromebook.
The only ones I know with Chromebooks are grade 8 and below kids who are forced to get them by their schools so they can lock the students into the school interface. These lower grade school programs will likely disable Gemini anyway to prevent cheating. In higher grades where the cpu is not locked in, the kids usually go with Macbook Airs or a PC. No kid I know will ever willingly choose a Chromebook.