Chrome OS vs. Android: the three main differences

Not so long ago, Google released a laptop with the first version of the Chrome operating system. We all know that Google was already having a huge success with Android. What puzzles many of us is did Google really need two operating systems.

To understand what Google is up to with the release of this new operating system, we need to understand that Chrome OS and Android both are Linux based operating systems. Linux operating systems such as GNOME or KDE desktops and their applications utilize the common Linux desktop application programming interfaces (API) but, these are not used by either of Google's OS.

Both of these OS make themselves secure using a common set of techniques which makes them similar in this aspect. Sand-boxing is the most important process out of them all.

In spite of these subtle similarities, Google's OS look and act in totally different ways. Here are the three main differences between Chrome OS and Android:

1. Chrome OS is for Netbooks; Android is for Phones & Tablets

Prior to the release of the Chrome OS, Google already announced that the browser was meant for people who spent a majority of their time on the internet. Thus, the OS was designed for small netbooks(Chromebook) and full sized desktop systems as a powerful operating system for them.

Thus, the major difference between the two is that Google is a desktop OS, while Android is meant for smartphones and tablets. The Chrome OS interface is quite similar as that of the Chrome Web Browser, while the Android Interface was designed mainly for touch.

2. Linux desktop or Android Apps cannot be run on Chrome OS

Most Windows OS, or even a Linux OS like Mint, are all traditional FAT-client desktops, but that is not the case with Chrome OS. All of the applications on Chrome OS are in fact cloud based. While Web based applications will conveniently be supported by this OS, to run traditional desktop applications, most probably a remote client computing technology would have to be used. As for the Android Java based applications, there is again no chance of running them on Chrome OS.

3. Chrome OS Constantly Updated

Those who are familiar with the Chrome Browser, the case of constant improvements and patches will be similar with the Chrome OS as well. Whether for better or for worse, Chrome OS will be constantly updated rather than having features added in further service packs. Luckily, users would not have to wait for different versions as in Android.

Other resources about Chrome OS and Android

• Chrome News: Google Chromebook: Revolutionizes Operating System Experience - Google has released its latest gadget Chromebooks, which is believed to revolutionize the operating system experience. At Google's I/O conference in San Francisco, Google product VP Sundar Pichai said ...
• Chrome Tutorial: How to get Google Chrome OS download ISO file - Chrome OS Linux is a brand new free operating system built around the revolutionary Google Chrome browser.
• GoogleOfficial: Chromebook - Chromebooks are built and optimized for the web, where you already spend most of your computing time. So you get a faster, simpler and more secure ...
• GoogleOfficial: Android.com - Learn about Android Partners, Developers, Android Market, and more...
• Google Official: The Chromium Blog - News and developments from the open source browser project.
• GoogleOfficial: Android 3.1 Platform, New SDK tools - As we announced at Google I/O, today we are releasing version 3.1 of the Android platform. Android 3.1 is an incremental release that builds on the tablet-optimized UI and features introduced in Android 3.0.
• GoogleOfficial: Instantly zap links, maps and phone numbers to your Android phone with Chrome to Phone!

Posted by Andrew.

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