Chrome OS may be the 2-in-1 solution we've been waiting for
Tech's biggest companies are all about the 2-in-1. Google's latest
effort is the Pixel Slate -- a tablet that becomes a sort-of laptop when
you snap on its keyboard folio. This is a formula we've seen rise in
popularity since the first Surface tablet. Think of the iPad Pro,
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S4, HP's Envy x2 detachables and more. These
devices are doing so well they're apparently all people want to buy
anymore. According to IDC data, 2-in-1 shipments will grow by almost 10
percent this year while traditional PCs are expected to decline.
It's easy to see why. The idea of a small tablet-size machine that is
powerful enough for getting real work done is compelling. Laptops keep
getting thinner and lighter, but they can't beat tablets with
lightweight keyboard covers. The good news is we have plenty of 2-in-1
devices that have impressively small designs. The challenge is finding
an operating system that excels at both work and play. It's a challenge
that Google might be uniquely positioned to meet.
While Windows is an excellent desktop OS, its lacks the selection of
touch-friendly apps that iOS and Android offer. The iPads, on the other
hand, are swimming in apps but are feeble at multitasking. Samsung also
gave it a shot with its Android-based DeX software, which works on both
its tablets and phones to provide a desktop-friendly interface when
connected to a mouse or external monitor. But it's too limited to be
useful and is essentially Android at heart, making it terrible for
proper multitasking.
With the Pixel Slate's redesigned version of Chrome OS, there is hope
yet for a UI that works almost as well in both tablet-only and desktop
modes. The software supports most Android apps and has been tweaked for
easier touch navigation. You can drag and drop to launch two browser
tabs side by side in split screen, easily scroll through your apps on
the home screen or pick one of the suggested options at the top instead
of having to hunt for a specific name.
Google Assistant was also baked into Chrome OS starting with the
Pixelbook last year. And on the Slate, it's been retooled to fetch your
answers four times more quickly. Having the digital helper on your
tablet makes it easier to get things done without a keyboard, like
dictating a reply to a text. Speaking of, the Slate will also come with
Android Messages as a persistent app that is easier to set up than on
other laptops, further blurring the line between mobile and desktop.
And as much as Google says it's not unifying the two interfaces, this
modified version of Chrome OS has so many Android-esque features it
might as well be the same. Think a Do Not Disturb mode to mute
notifications and a Quick Settings panel that borrows its design from
the phone OS.
Although Apple has historically been better at bridging the gap between
mobile and desktop operating systems, Google's efforts on Chrome OS and
Android are starting to pay off. iOS and macOS may make switching
between an iPhone and MacBook relatively easy, but marrying the two
interfaces doesn't seem like it's gonna happen. Smartphones and laptops
aren't going away anytime soon, but it's clear that 2-in-1s are here to
stay. While the Pixel Slate's version of Chrome OS isn't perfect (and to
be clear we haven't had a ton of time to test it yet), it's the best
thing about this device and is the most compelling attempt at a
dual-purpose OS we've seen. With this software, Google could scoop up
the 2-in-1 users who feel let down by Microsoft and Apple.
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