ChatGPT smells blood within the water because it weapons for Chrome’s crown on this week’s information

Effectively, that was an thrilling week. First, we heard that Google may transfer from ChromeOS to Android for its laptop computer choices, then hours later, Chrome confirmed up within the information once more, because the DOJ really helpful forcing Google to promote the browser. In the meantime,

Android 16
dropped a full three months early, even earlier than we may get used to saying “Android 15.” Plus, the Pixel Pill seems to be prefer it is perhaps on its method to the

Google graveyard
, and within the midst of all of the chaos, ChatGPT popped in to verify we remembered there is a new AI overlord on the town.

Android 16 is not only a DBZ character anymore

Google’s subsequent replace is properly forward of schedule

We have formally entered Google’s Dragon Ball Z section, as the subsequent 5 or so Android variations will share a reputation with Dr. Gero’s varied mercenaries. We noticed it coming for years, however we weren’t anticipating to be vying for website positioning positioning with websites like Kanzenshuu earlier than February 2025 — till Google stunned us all with its ridiculously sped-up Android 16 launch timeline.

On Tuesday, the first developer preview construct of Android 16 dropped, providing OEMs and app creators (and gutsy Pixel followers) an opportunity to check the brand new model forward of a public beta launch. Curiously, the Pixel 6 — a cellphone we thought was deprecated — additionally acquired the replace, signaling that Google might assist the system past its 3-year OS promise.

This being a developer preview, there aren’t many user-facing adjustments, however that did not cease AOSP knowledgeable and AP contributor Mishaal Rahman from unearthing a number of golden nuggets. For one, the embedded photograph picker that had thus far been underutilized now makes it simpler for apps to make use of the function. And Android’s Well being Join API is including assist for medical data, deepening the information that health apps can faucet into — in the event you so select, in fact.

The DOJ topples Google’s Chrome crown

And Android may very well be subsequent

In August, the US Division of Justice decided that Google is a monopolist due to its stranglehold on web search. A closing ruling is not anticipated till subsequent 12 months, however this week, the DOJ issued its advice to the courtroom overseeing this case: Google must promote Chrome to finish its monopoly. Main adjustments to Android had been additionally proposed, and if Google does not suppose it will probably make these, the DOJ suggests it may also need to promote the cellular OS.

These adjustments aren’t formalized, and the DOJ has till March 7, 2025, to problem its closing advice. Google will get an opportunity to problem a rebuttal, after which, the presiding decide will deliberate and resolve Chrome’s destiny.

ChatGPT smells blood in Google’s waters

Entering into for the kill with a multipronged assault

Google might have a monopoly on search, nevertheless it’s now not the undisputed king of AI — certainly, that title might belong to OpenAI and ChatGPT for the time being. We had already seen the corporate go after Google Search with its personal different, however this week, we heard that OpenAI may quickly debut a ChatGPT-powered browser to tackle Google Chrome. As if that weren’t dangerous sufficient for Google’s prospects, OpenAI was mentioned to be speaking to Samsung about changing Gemini with ChatGPT because the spine of Galaxy AI.

Android on laptops may very well be Google’s saving grace

RIP ChromeOS?

With the context of Google doubtlessly needing to divest itself from Chrome, the information that got here hours earlier than that appeared loads much less far-fetched: In a report for Android Authority, Mishaal Rahman revealed that Google may quickly change ChromeOS with Android as its laptop computer OS in an effort to problem Apple’s MacBooks.

This information got here instantly after a separate report that mentioned Google is engaged on a Pixel-branded laptop computer, which Rahman now believes can be among the many first of its variety to run Android on this new initiative. As for the idea that Google noticed the writing on the wall with the DOJ forcing it to promote Chrome and pivoted to Android, Rahman says there is no relation between the 2 bits of reports, nevertheless it’s actually exhausting to disregard the coincidental timing.

It is perhaps some time earlier than we see a Pixel Pill 2, if we ever do

Who on earth would have seen this mess coming?

Google teased the primary Pixel Pill at I/O 2022, nevertheless it did not hit cabinets for one more 13 months, so the corporate has by no means actually been in a rush with this explicit product. And when a sequel had nonetheless not proven up over 16 months after the primary iteration, we figured Google was simply dragging its ft — however apparently, it could have tripped and fallen.

Early within the week, we heard Google was canceling its plans for a Pixel Pill 3, however we weren’t certain how this would possibly influence a possible Pixel Pill 2 launch. The following day, a separate report clarified that the canceled product was extra probably the Pixel Pill 2, and that Google’s plans for a 2025 pill launch had unraveled. A separate system should be within the pipeline for 2027, which was initially deliberate to be the Pixel Pill 3, however with the 2025 system’s cancelation, it must be the Pixel Pill 2.

Issues are clearly a multitude in Google’s pill city proper now, so it is in all probability greatest to attend for the mud to settle earlier than leaping to conclusions. But when Android is certainly coming to laptops, there can be some overlap with a Pixel Pill which may cannibalize gross sales, so it is beginning to appear to be this is perhaps the subsequent product headed to Google’s notorious graveyard.