Chrome OS and Android Apps now run together on some Chromebooks. Many, but not all, Chromebook models will get the operating system update that allows it as fall approaches. The Asus Chromebook Flip C100P — the first Chromebook to get the upgrade — is an impressive example of what will come with the hybrid integration of Chrome OS and Android apps. The performance is not flawless, but many of the apps work well enough to offer a nonplussed working experience.
I'm indifferent on Android apps on my Chromebox. Really it's not something I have been missing or wanting. Even with my Android tablet do I find apps that I want running on my desktop Chromebox.
What I really need is better peripheral support for my Chrome OS such as better plug and play for devices like a scanner, or USB devices, storage, and Wifi adapters. Sure, some will embrace the vast amount of Android apps that become available on many Chrome OS devices. But how well they will look, run, and take advantage of bigger screen's is questionable.
In fact I have basically demoted my Chromebox the just a web device and nothing more. I need a full OS to really do what I need and for me Android apps won't fix what's broken with Chrome OS.
I suspect that onboard support for peripheral devices is one of the main reasons if not the main reason why Windows takes so much longer than Chrome OS to load. The solution for Chrome OS is the migration of peripheral devices from "plug-and-play" into network devices so that device drivers only reside on the peripheral device and/or Cloud server. In the case of Google Cloud Print, the drivers reside on the Cloud server. In the case of newer scanners like the Brother ImageCenter ADS-1500W, the drivers are built into the peripheral device.
Not sure what you're using, but my low end Acer CB3-111 can use an external mouse, keyboard, monitor and printer. Scanning I'm not sure about, as I haven't tried.
Well-written review. I, too, have been very impressed with what I've seen of the Chrome+Android hybrid so far. Although I believe that traditional Chrome apps running in browser tabs result in a far more efficient use of time and resources, I'm pragmatic about the market justification for introducing Android apps. I really like and regularly use a couple of Android apps because no worthy substitutes currently exist in the Chrome Web Store. But I'm mostly happy that the implementation of Android within Chrome OS hasn't so far incurred a significant negative effect on the outstanding performance and stability of Chrome OS and its traditional apps.
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Android, Chromebook Make a Sweet Couple
Posted by: Jack M. Germain July 23, 2016 11:00 AMChrome OS and Android Apps now run together on some Chromebooks. Many, but not all, Chromebook models will get the operating system update that allows it as fall approaches. The Asus Chromebook Flip C100P — the first Chromebook to get the upgrade — is an impressive example of what will come with the hybrid integration of Chrome OS and Android apps. The performance is not flawless, but many of the apps work well enough to offer a nonplussed working experience.
What I really need is better peripheral support for my Chrome OS such as better plug and play for devices like a scanner, or USB devices, storage, and Wifi adapters. Sure, some will embrace the vast amount of Android apps that become available on many Chrome OS devices. But how well they will look, run, and take advantage of bigger screen's is questionable.
In fact I have basically demoted my Chromebox the just a web device and nothing more. I need a full OS to really do what I need and for me Android apps won't fix what's broken with Chrome OS.