Past the Alphabet is a weekly column that focuses on the tech world each inside and outside of the confines of Mountain View.
Final week, a rumor popped up suggesting that Google was engaged on a keyboard case to pair with a brand new Pixel Pill. Now, there are reviews that Google has determined to fully cancel the Pixel Pill 2 whereas on the identical time supposedly engaged on a Pixel Laptop computer.
Properly, what is the level of making an attempt to make a pill function as a laptop computer should you can simply choose to make a laptop computer as a substitute? And that is the mindset that I believe Google is taking with this method.
We’re already seeing a bunch of labor put into making Android’s native Desktop Mode extra usable. Final month, it was reported that Google was engaged on a technique to implement a Terminal app on Android. Then the Android 15 QPR2 beta launched a Terminal app, which might permit builders to run Linux apps via a digital machine on Android gadgets.
Offered that it truly makes it into the general public launch, this most likely is not one thing that very many individuals would use. This is similar factor that you would say in regards to the capability to make use of Linux on a Chromebook. But, you are able to do precisely that, offered that you’ve got a appropriate Chromebook.
You may see the similarities right here.
In a vacuum, that truly sounds fairly unimaginable. It may truly offer you a single system for all your day by day computing wants, with (doubtlessly) only a few limitations. Seeing as we aren’t in a vacuum, I am not absolutely satisfied that Google will ditch Chromebooks in favor of this souped-up model of Android.
To me, it appears like Google is making an attempt to show Android into ChromeOS, however I do not know if I see a situation the place ChromeOS and the Chromebook branding are simply tossed into the Google Graveyard. The corporate has spent years and numerous {dollars} making a lineup of gadgets which are each simple and handy to make use of.
It was solely final month that the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus was introduced, which Google labored intently with Samsung to create. Whereas having a brand new premium Chromebook possibility is nice, I might argue that Google getting Samsung again into the sport does extra for bettering the model than the rest.
That is to not say that there is something unsuitable with the opposite Chromebook makers, however individuals normally tend to concentrate when Samsung is concerned. It is no totally different than telephones and tablets, as persons are at all times inquisitive about no matter Samsung is doing, for higher or worse. Not solely will individuals take note of Samsung, however they’re additionally extra more likely to spend cash on the “new and glossy” launch.
My level is, why would Google spend the cash and assets to work with Samsung solely to pivot away from ChromeOS and Chromebooks? It may possibly’t.
Google will not ditch Chromebooks, however it’s not due to something apart from cash.
Properly, in fact, it may. I imply, it’s Google that we’re speaking about right here. However I imply that Google has much more invested in Chromebooks than simply what you would possibly see at your native Greatest Purchase.
The schooling phase alone might be what has helped preserve issues afloat, particularly within the days earlier than the Chromebook Plus branding was launched. In line with an August 2024 report by Canalys, “world Chromebook shipments grew 4% yearly to over 6 million items in Q2 2024.” Nevertheless, the rationale is not solely due to the discharge of latest Chromebooks or the inclusion of Gemini.
The report says “Chromebook shipments had been bolstered this quarter by regionally particular schooling funding packages, such because the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) in america, which required spending to conclude in Q2 2024.” It’d sound superficial, and it’s, to a sure extent. However no matter the way it sounds, the truth is that Chromebooks had been truly bought.
An enormous motive why Chromebooks are so standard for colleges comes all the way down to the price. Faculty districts aren’t strolling into Greatest Purchase, shopping for 30 Chromebooks, and distributing them within the classroom. There’s a completely totally different phase that colleges undergo when shopping for new Chromebooks, full with offers and reductions for purchasing in bulk.
Whereas doing analysis for this text, I got here throughout a “potential financial savings calculator” on the Google for Training touchdown web page. Presently, evidently the device is not practical, however because of the Wayback Machine, I used to be capable of see a graphic titled “The Financial Worth of Chromebooks within the Classroom.”
The necessary factor right here is that over the course of three years, the graphic claims that Chromebooks provide a “59% decrease price of operations.” An included graph reveals the three-year system price of a Chromebook is simply north of $1 million. That most likely looks like some huge cash, till you see that “Different Units” price greater than $2.5 million over the identical time interval. This is not an insignificant distinction and goes to indicate why Chromebooks have taken over the classroom.
With this in thoughts, do you actually consider that Chromebooks and even ChromeOS will simply get replaced by Android? It simply would not make sense from a enterprise perspective. Plus, Google must get its companions on board, and it simply provides one other layer of issue and complexity to every part.
As for the rumored Android-powered Pixel Laptop computer, the preliminary report claimed that it was being “in contrast internally with a lot of different high-end laptops.” Seeing as high-end Chromebooks simply have not been profitable, I am not precisely assured that the Pixel Laptop computer would be capable of break the mildew.
Let’s not overlook about gadgets just like the HP Dragonfly Professional Chromebook or Framework Laptop computer Chromebook Version. Each of those $1,000+ Chromebooks have been discontinued, because the itemizing on Framework’s web site was additionally lately eliminated.
It is also a part of the rationale why the Galaxy Chromebook Plus and Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 714 are priced at $699. That is most likely what Google feels is essentially the most an individual pays for a Chromebook.
So, whereas the Pixel Laptop computer would possibly be actively in growth, it is not going to see the sunshine of day if its value is wherever close to that of a MacBook, Floor Laptop computer, or Dell XPS.
To me, it simply appears like Google is engaged on totally different initiatives, and particulars had been shared after they most likely should not have been. Then once more, perhaps Google will determine to do away with ChromeOS solely, whether or not or not it’s via stress from the Justice Division or not.
Not going wherever
Though evidently the Pixel Pill 2 has been canceled, that does not imply you need to ignore the present iteration. It is nonetheless fairly a helpful pill, particularly with the Charging Speaker Dock. Plus, you’ll find it on sale as a part of the early Black Friday offers.
