Google Holds Press Event Announcing New Products (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Two independent and reliable sources have confirmed that Google is planning a new Pixel laptop to be released in Q3 2017, which should be known as 'Bison.' The new flagship laptop is rumored to run Google's combined Android and Chrome OS operating laptop.
Furthermore, 9To5Google appears to have acquired evidence on the hybrid operating system's production through Android 7.0 Nougat AOSP. They cited the file "SurfaceCompositionTest.java" which on their understanding is "a set of low-level tests to measure graphics performance." Also the test directly mentions "Andromeda" multiple times, including that "Andromeda devices require higher performance score."
Describing it as "the first brand-new device to showcase Google's combined Android and Chrome OS operating system in a laptop form factor," the Pixel 3 is regarded as an "ultra-thin laptop" (sub-10mm apparently) with a 12.3in display. Being a hybrid OS device, it could feature specs that are similar to the already-released Google Pixel C, which features a detachable keyboard design.
It is said that Google's various teams, including the Android team, Pixel team, and Chrome OS team, have collaboratively been working on the project for several years already. Reports also regarded the Pixel 3 as a "distinct effort from Google's current campaign to bring Android apps to Chromebooks," adding that the Pixel 3 will not be marketed as a Chromebook.
"Android apps on Chrome OS descended from the ARC project, while Andromeda is a much larger, more ambitious initiative that is being pursued via merging Chrome features into Android, not vice versa," the Android Police report explains.
As to its internal chassis, Pixel 3 will be powered by an Intel M3 or i5 Core processor with 8-16GB of RAM and 32GB-128GB of storage. Other hardware will include a fingerprint scanner, two USB Type-C ports, a 3.5mm headphone jack, built-in sensors, stylus support (allegedly Wacom supported), four microphones (of course voice command friendly), stereo speakers, and a 10-hour battery life. Additional features include a glass trackpad with a Haptic feedback engine, and a backlit keyboard.
As for Andromeda's actual release, the rumors surfacing only leads to a Q3 2017 release, possibly with the new laptop hybrid "Bison."
