It's official: Android apps are coming to Chromebooks

It’s been rumored for quite some time, and now the news is finally official: Android apps are coming to Chrome OS!

Ahead of Google’s Coming to a Chromebook near you session at I/O, a post was set live on the Android Developers Blog explaining that developers will be able to bring their Android applications to Chromebooks later this year. This news is pretty great for everyone involved. Devs will be able to expand their application’s availability, and users will get to use their favorite Android apps on their Chromebooks.

If you’re a developer, Google has outlined some of the benefits for bringing your Android app over to Chrome OS:

• Android Apps can be shown in 3 different window sizes to allow the best experience
• Users can multi-task with multiple Android apps in moveable windows along with a full desktop browser, all within the familiar Chrome OS interface.
• Keyboard, mouse, and touch input will seamlessly work together
• Users will get Android notifications on their Chromebooks
• Android apps benefit from the Wifi or Bluetooth connectivity setup by the user or the administrator
• File sharing is seamless between Chrome and Android apps through the Files app
• Performance of demanding apps such as games or design apps is excellent

The Play Store will be available specifically for developers in early June on the ASUS Chromebook Flip, Chromebook Pixel (2015) and the Acer Chromebook R11. The Play Store will then be available for all users sometime later this fall. You can also find a list of Chromebooks that support Android apps at this link.