Google dismisses rumours about phasing out Chrome OS

Google has denied reports that Chrome OS will be folded into the Android mobile operating system. It said the company does not have any plan to phase out the operating system powering its Chromebooks. The internet giant said it remains committed to the development of the six-year-old Chrome OS unveiled in July 2009.

"With the launch of Chrome OS six years ago, we set out to make computers better — faster, simpler and more secure — for everyone. We've since seen that vision come to life in classrooms, offices and homes around the world," says Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP Android, Chrome OS and Chromecast.

Google says dozens of new Chromebooks will be released in 2016. It also has plans to add more features to the Chrome OS.These include a new media player and a visual refresh inspired by material design, besides performance and security improvements.

Every day, 30,000 new Chromebooks are entering classrooms in the US, Google claims. Besides, more than two million teachers and students in more than 150 countries have the new Chrome extension – Share to Classroom, launched in September.

The Share to Classroom extension works on any laptop, including Chromebooks, Macs and PCs. A lot of companies such as Netflix, Sanmina and Starbucks use Chromebooks which, according to Google, are secure enough to be run without additional antivirus software.

"In an effort to make computing even more accessible, earlier this year we introduced the first $149 Chromebook — a fast, affordable laptop. And in the next couple weeks the Asus Chromebit will be available — an $85 device that turns any display into a computer so you can replace your old desktop with an affordable computer the size of a candy bar, or let businesses transform a billboard into a smart digital sign," added Lockheimer.