Key Points:
- Google is halting development on Lacros, its experimental browser project for Chromebooks.
- This decision comes as ChromeOS embraces the Android stack, aiming to achieve similar goals as Lacros but with a more unified approach.
- Lacros testing yielded valuable insights that will contribute to future ChromeOS improvements.
In a recent announcement, Google revealed a strategic shift for ChromeOS. The company is ending development on Lacros, its initiative to provide Chromebooks with an independently updateable Chrome browser. This decision coincides with Google’s long-term plan to incorporate “large portions of the Android stack” into the core of ChromeOS.
Lacros launched as an experiment in 2020, aimed to address several key areas for Chromebooks. It sought to deliver faster security updates, cater to evolving user needs through features like multiple browser profiles, and enhance overall Chromebook performance. Additionally, Lacros held the potential to extend browser updates beyond a Chromebook’s end-of-life (EOL) date, although current Chromebooks receive ten years of updates and ChromeOS Flex offers a second life to older devices.
Despite these promising goals, Google is pulling the plug on Lacros with version M128. The rationale behind this move lies in the company’s belief that the Android integration within ChromeOS will achieve similar objectives. This unified approach offers a more streamlined path for innovation on Chromebooks, according to Google.
While Lacros may be reaching its end, its contributions remain valuable. The testing phase provided crucial user feedback and insights. These learnings have already translated into concrete improvements for ChromeOS, with Google citing faster login times and enhanced battery life during video playback as key examples.
The deprecation of Lacros will have no immediate impact on users, as it was always an experimental project. Google reaffirms its commitment to delivering frequent security patches and monthly updates for both Chrome and ChromeOS. This move signifies Google’s strategic focus on leveraging the Android foundation to propel ChromeOS forward, ultimately delivering a more robust and adaptable Chromebook experience.
