Eric Schmidt Notes Chrome And Android Operating System To Remain Separate Products

Last week, Google said Andy Rubin will be moving to an undefined role within the company and Sundar Pichai will take over Rubin's responsibilities. Rubin is well-known as the architect of Android. Pichai was, and will continue to be, in charge of Google's Chrome web browser and other applications such as Google Drive and Gmail.

By bringing Android under the same boss as Chrome, many have speculated as to Google's future plans. Although we don’t know what Rubin will be working on (he will "start a new chapter at Google") or how the change will impact Android, Google's Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt has said Google's Chrome and Android operating systems will remain separate products. Although separate products, Schmidt did say we could see more overlap of Chrome and Android in the future.

Google's Chromebook Pixel features a touch-screen interface.

With the merger of the Chrome and Android divisions, it is reasonable to assume we will see a greater convergence of mobile and desktop software. We're already seeing some of this convergence. Just last month, Pichai unveiled the Chromebook Pixel which is the first Chrome-based laptop with a touch-screen interface.