Google is taking another swing at redefining how we use our devices, and this time it’s going straight at Microsoft’s turf. The company is building a convergence platform that blends Android for phones and PCs into one seamless experience, something Microsoft tried with projects like Continuum and Windows Core OS but never quite pulled off. According to Windows Central, Qualcomm has already called Google’s effort “incredible,” signaling real industry confidence.
At Qualcomm’s summit, Google’s Rick Osterloh revealed that the project is designed to create a “common technical foundation” across devices. In simple terms, that means Android could soon run on both your smartphone and your laptop, with apps and workflows carrying over without disruption. For years, this kind of cross-device dream has been dangling in front of users but never fully realized.
Microsoft had its chance. Windows 10’s Continuum promised to turn your phone into a PC by plugging it into a monitor, and rumors of Windows Core OS suggested a lighter, modular approach. None of it stuck, largely because developers weren’t on board and the ecosystem wasn’t strong enough. Google, on the other hand, already has a vast Android app library and close relationships with hardware partners, giving it a massive head start.
If successful, this move could threaten Windows’ dominance in consumer PCs. Many people don’t need complex legacy software; they just want to browse, stream, work on documents, and chat. A lightweight Android-based PC that syncs perfectly with your phone could be more appealing than the heavy, compatibility-laden Windows 11. Qualcomm’s praise suggests the performance gap between mobile chips and PC processors is narrowing too, making the idea technically feasible.
Of course, it won’t be easy. Android was never designed for full desktop workflows like multitasking across multiple monitors, deep file management, or running pro-level creative tools. Google will need to prove that an Android PC can be more than just a blown-up phone screen. But given its resources and developer base, it might finally crack what Microsoft could not.
If Google pulls this off, the definition of a “personal computer” could change completely. Instead of Windows being the default, your next laptop might just be running Android—and this time, it could actually work.