Google says that Chrome OS is here to stay
The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Google would be merging Chrome OS into its Android mobile OS, but the company says that neither operating system will stop existing independently.
"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," the company writes.
Google has kept the distinction between Chrome OS, for its laptop hardware like Chromebooks, and Android, for its tablets and smartphones, though has hinted in the past that the two would eventually converge.
After the Journal's piece broke last week, Chrome and Android boss Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted that there's a "ton of momentum" for Chromebooks, the laptops that run the Chrome OS, and he writes in the post that we should expect to see "dozens" of new models next year.
Google also plans to release even more features, like a new media player, and increase its focus on security.
"With our regular six-week software cycle and guaranteed auto-updates for five years," Lockheimer writes. "Chromebooks keep getting better over time. Finally, stay on the lookout for dozens of new Chromebooks in 2016."