Google Services code hints at plans to bring Android app mirroring on Chromebooks
Google has been doing a solid job of building out Chrome OS into an operating system that can compete on a closer footing with Windows 10 while still offering the advantages of being relatively light-weight. One key improvement to the overall usability of Chromebooks was the addition of Android app support that lessened the need for a constant internet connection. Now it looks like Google could be adding Android app mirroring support to an upcoming iteration of Chrome OS.
Code spotted in the latest version of Google Play Services (21.21.12) by XDA Developers reveals a string that says “Stream apps to your Chromebook.” This functionality would be very similar to the integration that Samsung has developed with Microsoft called Link to Windows. Link to Windows allows Galaxy phone users to mirror their phone’s screen, view notifications, transfer files and media and respond to messages and calls.
Clearly, Google wants to ensure that even with the ability to use Android apps on Chromebooks, it can offer similar levels of tight integration between Android phones and Chromebooks. Even with the ability to run Android apps on Chromebooks, there will be instances where a user’s phone has more graphics and processing power than the Chromebook they are using. This would allow them to use the larger display on the Chromebook for a more immersive experience.
There is no timeline for this functionality, and as with everything that is in development, it could be abandoned. However, given that this functionality is already available on Windows 10, it would seem remiss of Google not to offer it on Chromebooks too.
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