[Karl Jayson Panase1]

just a heads up there's a rumor that Android and Chrome OS will merge and available on 2017..

[Nicholas Ek]

Why would it be a threat to Windows 10 or Microsoft's vision? We don't know how the merging will translate in terms of apps and capabilities. While Android has the big app selection advantage, Windows 10 has the scaling advantage (have you seen how bad tablet/big-screen apps for Android are?) and also the foothold in the PC market. Unless Google makes huge changes to their reasoning of Chromebooks' raison-d'être (and hence their offline capabilities), I don't think their offerings will actually clash with Microsoft's.

[Karl Jayson Panase1]

Thats what i thought also..and MS is already miles ahead of this..and soon we can now see the product one windows vision through project astoria,islanwood, continuum, etc. and i think the only thing chrome adnroid/chromedriod (or what ever they will call it) market strategy will only focus on its large collection of mobile apps and thats it...still it would not come close to the unlimited app catalog of windows via different appstores(play store(bluestacks),window store..) and large collection and nevern ending legacy programs that boost productivity..:)

[Spectrum90]

Most people don't need the complexity of Windows or x86 programs. A laptop designed for consumers, running Android, is a huge threat to Microsoft.

[_Emi_]

No, Chrome OS was never a threat, so why would just merging with Android be a threat?

Most people don't need the complexity of Windows or x86 programs. A laptop designed for consumers, running Android, is a huge threat to Microsoft.

Windows complex? it's not like android is the best thing either. you don't even get the same experience from phone to phone, because all OEMs do whatever they want with the UI and there are many things you can't easy find on Android either. but then, most people don't care about it, because as long as it does what they want, they are happy.

There was Linux before and it was FREE, and was it a threat? no. Linux having nice software like Maya, 3dCoat, Mari, Mudbox, etc etc. and what does android have? the same mobile apps that don't add anything to Desktop and Laptop experience. This reminds me of people saying how iPad Pro is the best thing and a threat to laptops, yet it's just a Mobile OS with nothing but mobile apps that aren't really optimized for mouse and keyboard.

so you can think whatever you want, but people don't get Android because it's a nice OS, they get it because it comes on many phones around, they don't even know they are running android, but they know it has the apps they see on tv or a website and they want to use. cheap phones that does that, without having to buy an expensive iPhone. you can say that's the same strategy that made Windows marketshare so strong, yes, but it doesn't mean people will ask for "oh does this laptop have android? I want one with android because windows is too complex for me", if that didn't happen with Linux, I dont think it will happen with Android either.

[ajj3085]

Most people don't need the complexity of Windows or x86 programs. A laptop designed for consumers, running Android, is a huge threat to Microsoft.

Doubt it. If all you need is web and email, and light entertainment, tablets (from Apple, MS, or running Android) are already there and people have already replaced their laptops with that, or will.

The people that still have laptops at this point obviously DO need x86 apps, such as games or productivity (Office, Photoshop, video editing, etc.), and for those people Windows is still the one to beat. I don't think I've ever actually met anyone using ChromeOS; it seems to be an abject failure. If you can use ChromeOS to met your needs, again you'd probably just get a cheap Android tablet.

I'm not sure how you get that Windows is complex though; Windows is trim enough to run my phone, and it just as easy as Apple is. Android was a hot mess when I last used it.

So I think merging Android and ChromeOS really will have no impact at all, except to make people forget that ChromeOS ever existed, which I suspect why Google is going that route. As someone else pointed out, MS is way ahead of everyone with the Windows everywhere track their own. Plenty of companies have underestimated MS in the past; they're actually at their best when they have fierce competition, and we're seeing that today. Look at their offerings objectively, and MS has a pretty impressive ecosystem to offer.

[elindalyne]

It feels like MS and Google are gearing up for the next phase of smartphone evolution, where the smartphone can fully replace a desktop for the majority of users. 1 device is a much easier sell to people than 2 or 3.

[Spectrum90]

No, Chrome OS was never a threat, so why would just merging with Android be a threat?

...

There was Linux before and it was FREE, and was it a threat? no. Linux having nice software like Maya, 3dCoat, Mari, Mudbox, etc etc. and what does android have? the same mobile apps that don't add anything to Desktop and Laptop experience. This reminds me of people saying how iPad Pro is the best thing and a threat to laptops, yet it's just a Mobile OS with nothing but mobile apps that aren't really optimized for mouse and keyboard.
...

Chrome OS is definitely a threat. In fact, Microsoft aired a commercial comparing Chromebooks to PCs. Microsoft also had to cut the prices of Windows licences to compete more effectively with Chromebooks and that made possible cheap laptops like the HP Stream.
I don't have hard data, but from anecdotal observations, it seems to me that Windows 10 hasn't affected the demand for Chromebooks at all.

Chromebooks have a number of advantages: Simplicity, lower hardware requirement, optimized for the web, longer battery life, better integration with Google services and they're more affordable

Oh, Linux is not a good comparison. The desktop variant is not user friendly, has many compatibility problems and of course the "program" gap.

[Spectrum90]

Doubt it. If all you need is web and email, and light entertainment, tablets (from Apple, MS, or running Android) are already there and people have already replaced their laptops with that, or will.

I'm not sure how you get that Windows is complex though; Windows is trim enough to run my phone, and it just as easy as Apple is. Android was a hot mess when I last used it.

So I think merging Android and ChromeOS really will have no impact at all, except to make people forget that ChromeOS ever existed, which I suspect why Google is going that route. As someone else pointed out, MS is way ahead of everyone with the Windows everywhere track their own. Plenty of companies have underestimated MS in the past; they're actually at their best when they have fierce competition, and we're seeing that today. Look at their offerings objectively, and MS has a pretty impressive ecosystem to offer.

The problem with tablets is that mouse, keyboard and the desktop metaphor are still the best way to do many tasks.
Google needs a good desktop OS to better serve their users, or even better, a flexible OS that can adapt itself to the hardware in which is running or the peripherals connected.

So, Microsoft has less than two years to develop its ecosystem before the new converged Android OS is ready to compete with Windows 10. It's a race.

[Torcher Death]

Don't really think Android/Chrome OS is a threat to MS or rather Windows for that matter at least in the short run, as for most average users desktop/laptop means windows , while phone is either an iPhone or Samsung.

[orlbuckeye]

Well currently Chrome apps run on every Windows machine within the Chrome browser. The switch to Android wil stop this until the Android apps are ported to Windows. The question is will Android be fragmented by the OEM's like the tablet and phones are? I believe they the android laptops could affect the 500 dollar and below WIndow market but they 1000 dollars and above laptops are purchased for specific task that use the more powerful hardware to game, video edit or CAD work.

[wpbazaar]

Most people don't need the complexity of Windows or x86 programs. A laptop designed for consumers, running Android, is a huge threat to Microsoft.

Sure the potential threat is there, in the same way MS threatens to cross-sell their desktop installed base onto WM. But the lesson learnt from WP is that people prefer to (and sometimes have to) use what their friends are currently using, so reasons to move have to be very compelling.

Possibly one advantage Deskdroid would have over WM10 is that education bulk buys laptop form factor devices and can mandate what a large number of people are going to use, but I'm not aware of any schools that are issuing phones to kids. So sell hard to government and the market share is handed to you. But schools like Chrome OS because it's very light and simple, they might switch to Firefox OS instead of Android.

[ajj3085]

The problem with tablets is that mouse, keyboard and the desktop metaphor are still the best way to do many tasks.
Google needs a good desktop OS to better serve their users, or even better, a flexible OS that can adapt itself to the hardware in which is running or the peripherals connected.

So, Microsoft has less than two years to develop its ecosystem before the new converged Android OS is ready to compete with Windows 10. It's a race.

What tasks would those be? For the tasks I described as suited for tablets, they are just fine, and many people don't need more than that. For more involved tasks, yes a normal laptop/desktop is better. But that's the one are MS is already heavily entrenched on. All those devices you mention, Windows already has a lock there.

What compelling reason is there to use ChromeOS? I don't see a single one.

It might be a race, but Google is the one that's way behind on this one. MS' decision to run full Windows on tablets instead of mobile OSes (Android, iOS) was a huge win. The heavier tasks you speak of don't do well on iOS or Android, and you can see that by running Android apps on a tablet. For the most part, they are clucky, blown up versions of the mobile phone app.

Google is the one behind here, and MS isn't just going to sit where its at now for the next two years.

[Diego Ceccacci]

Looks like they trying to copy the idea of do one OS for every device.

[Karl Jayson Panase1]

yeah..one problem will occur after this merging of android and chrome os will be fragmentation of the os cause as we seen in android theres a huge fragmentation of android version that really impacts the performance and security of other devices..
but still, This merging needs a long run and Microsoft is already ahead of this game :)..

[Karl Jayson Panase1]

Thanks for your insights :)

[TechAbstract]

It could be a threat in the future. Unlike Linux, many OEMs are making Chromebooks. What important is getting them to the hands of the customers.

Linux never had this kind of exposure.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/searchpage.jsp?st=chromebooks&_dyncharset=UTF-8&id=pcat17071&type=page&sc=Global&cp=2&nrp=&sp=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All Categories&ks=960&keys=keys

[rollindice]

Threat? Hahaha quite funny

[colinkiama]

Threat? Hahaha quite funny

Remember when Steve blamer said that about the iPhone. ;)

[Karl Jayson Panase1]

Hopefully we can see the fruit of all the porting tools of Microsoft as soon as possible so that we can (fully) say that android/chrome merge will not be a threat to the whole Windows ecosystem. . .

[Smokin44]

Threat is one way to look at it - Id look at it that is confirms that the concept of continuum is the future and the future is much closer than we realize.

One OS for your total eco-system, regardless of device. That is the future.

If MSFT do this properly, they are in the position to blow everybody out of the water. 90 odd percent of the global workforce use windows and have some sort of windows eco-system, and most of them use MSFT productivity tools. None of these will be early adopters to a freakshow android os, they will give windows every chance.

[Karl Jayson Panase1]

MS needs to act quickly and execute it properly or else other Tech Giants will Claim that they are the first one to create it and the community will credit the tech to them..now is the time to show MS power.

[Karl Jayson Panase1]

Threat? Hahaha quite funny

its really a threat for me IF..MS fails to execute this One Windows Ecosystem Especially on Mobile. They already proven their credibility on PC market and now is the time to gain the trust of consumers in Mobile space. on the other hand, android is a success in mobile space but who knows if they can find a whole or do some magic,well there might be a place for it in PC market..but for now its MS time and it should act quickly!

[Ian_Superfly]

It is a threat as Android has all the apps including MS Office, OneNote, OneDrive, Xbox, office lens etc etc.
Add then specific apps for the business system used (at some company) and that gazillion of other apps and there is not much need for Windows for businesses.

But, I guess the readers of wpcentral will see the decline of Windows sales as "strategic" as Microsoft does not charge the consumer for the license. "It's all about the services..."

Note also that features like Cortana does not work in most countries but Google now does.

(The biggest mistake MS has done (so far) was to give away their only aces (Office, OneDrive, Xbox etch) in this).
If MS will lose this, I guess our kids will study what can happen with a company when different departments fight each other and one case study will be MS.

"MS OneDrive" (product line) wanted to fight amazon and made OneDrive working on all platforms.
"MS Xbox" wanted to fight Sony and made Xbox integration available on all platforms.
"MS Office" wanted to fight Google and made Office available on all platforms.
"MS OS" wanted to fight both OSX and Google and made windows "free".
"MS NBD/Revenue" wanted to fight Google and released a crippled Bing (Crippled in any country outside US).
"MS NBD/revenue" wanted to fight both Google and ios and released Cortana for all systems (but is not available in most countries, not even for WP/W10M).

The big loser of all these decisions is not the competition, it is WP/W10M that now IS irrelevant (3% and declining) and that opens up for "Universal Android/Chrome" (or an apple version) to wipe out the rest of MS. A bit ironically if you ask me, especially as the stock market is still clapping their hands for Nadella.

[Ixia]

The one issue I find is that Google is far more universal, Bing is US centric. World domination isn't going to happen when MS doesn't acknowledge there are other countries out there.