Chromebooks could steal one of the best things about MacBooks

Chromebooks could steal one of the best things virtually MacBooks

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

If you lot've always envied the way users who chose the Apple ecosystem can stop using a device and pick upwardly right where they left off on another, y'all might before long get the same run a risk to practice the same thing with Google'south Chrome OS. It sounds like Google could be gear up to take a folio out of Apple's playbook if a new series of findings are to be believed.

9to5Google reports that in that location'due south testify of a special tool cached in some of Chrome Bone'southward contempo updates that might allow users to resume and continue activities from their Android smartphone on their Chromebook. This feature, with the internal name of "Android Phone Hub," would offer a "UI for users to view information about their Android phone and perform phone-side actions within Chrome OS."

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If that reminds you lot of Apple's Handoff feature, that'south probably because the clarification is very similar to what Apple devices owners already relish. With Handoff, those users are able to motility tasks between any Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod bear upon or Apple tree Watch that meets Apple's Continuity arrangement requirements. With each device signed into iCloud using the aforementioned Apple ID with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi enabled, you're able to open a uniform app on ane device — such as Safari, Mail service, iMessages — and pick information technology up seamlessly on another.

That'southward how the Android Telephone Hub appears to operate. It will as well apparently be able to mirror notifications from Android devices so that users can answer to them using their Chromebook.

But that'due south not all. The functionality could even potentially offering users the ability to utilise their Android phones from their PC to make calls, control music, and even etch messages, much like Microsoft'southward current "Your Phone" app.

When to expect Android Phone Hub

Google has all the same to comment on 9to5Google'due south findings, but if this is indeed a feature that's in the early stages of planning, information technology likely won't be bachelor just yet in the near future. Yet, with integration already somewhat baked into Chrome OS — such equally accessing your Android phone'southward information, letters, and more via Chromebook — it only makes sense that Google would seek to further this type of connectivity betwixt devices.

There's no indication in the files hidden within Chrome Os of any sort of impending release, but we do know that Google is hard at work on perfecting a file transfer system that shares much in common with Apple's AirDrop tech. Nearby Sharing is expected to be every bit useful every bit its iOS analogue, and it'due south been in the wild for some fourth dimension now. Users can test that item feature right now, simply there'south no way to currently monitor or deploy Android Phone Hub.

If there are indeed changes itinerant, information technology's likely Google will come forth to shed some light on the potential updates presently plenty.

Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over xiii years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She'due south also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX Due west and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the side by side great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.