Amid reports that Alphabet (Google's parent) planned to merge Chrome OS into Android, the search and cloud computing giant is working overtime to assure partners and customers that it remains committed to both Chrome OS and Chromebooks.
In a blog post, Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior VP of Android, Chrome OS and Chromecast, stated:
"Over the last few days, there’s been some confusion about the future of Chrome OS and Chromebooks based on speculation that Chrome OS will be folded into Android. While we’ve been working on ways to bring together the best of both operating systems, there's no plan to phase out Chrome OS."
Translation: Channel partners working closely with Google can depend on Chrome OS and Chromebook hardware to march forward. Chrome OS allows Chromebooks -- low-cost notebooks -- to lean heavily on cloud-based services. The associated software over network connections roughly every six weeks.
Chromebooks have become quite popular in schools, which activate more than 30,000 new Chromebooks each school day, the company has stated.
Google also is going upmarket with Chromebooks. A Chromebook for Work designation identifies hardware that's specifically designed for heavier business workloads. And "dozens of new Chromebooks" are set to debut in 2016, Lockheimer added.
