Google announced in May 2016 that Google Play (Android apps) was coming to Chrome OS. The company said: "The same apps that run on phones and tablets will soon run on Chromebooks without compromising their speed, simplicity or security.” It is almost here.
The Chromium Project states that “All Chromebooks launching in 2017, as well as selected existing ones (list at the website) will work with Android apps at a time to be announced in the future*.”
That little * is later explained: “The feature may not be available right out of the box. That experience will depend on when the Chromebook launches and when Android Apps on Chrome OS is out of Beta. We don't have an update right now on timing but stay tuned.”
Rajen Sheth, Google’s director of product for Android and Chrome for education and enterprise, said, “The Chromebook is going from being just a laptop to something that is a lot more versatile and dynamic ... such that OEMs can produce many great devices.
{loadposition ray}"We have put a lot of investment into the touch UI and making touch a great experience on the Chromebook. And what that's going to do is open up the possibilities for OEMs to have an even wider variety of [Surface like hybrid] form factors.”
Microsoft is gearing up to go after Chrome OS that, in the US, has captured more than half the education market. A major announcement this week was Microsoft’s Intune for Education that among management benefits lists Windows Ink, Office 365, intelligence features including searching while writing documents, One-Note, and more.
Intune for Education is regarded as a comprehensive package that could increase fluency by up to 30% and comprehension by 20% and it is designed to help students adapt to “learning on glass” instead of books, pencils, and paper. A major advantage over Chrome is it runs everything, including full Office 365 offline – Internet access and data costs are still a big issue for many education institutions.
Microsoft also announced that “Starting at just US$189, Windows 10 PCs are available today from Acer, HP, and Lenovo, with many devices featuring Windows Ink, touch support and with great designs that are perfect for the classroom. Now Windows 10 devices offer the power, performance and security schools need at the same price as Chromebooks, with none of the compromises.”
Above: HP's new education tent design touch notebook.