May 15, 2026, 3:56 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
As part of “The Android Show,” Google introduced a new generation of laptops called Googlebooks. Unlike Chromebooks, which run on ChromeOS, Googlebooks will come with a new operating system primarily designed for using Android apps. The system’s codename: Aluminum OS.
Shortly before the Googlebook announcement, the leaker Mystic Leaks shared screenshots and a 16-minute video of Aluminum OS on his Telegram channel, claiming to have installed it on a MacBook. Although Google has since provided insights into the new operating system, the leak reveals details that the company has not yet disclosed.
Android with Desktop Features
According to “Android Authority,” Aluminum OS appears to be largely based on Android. Mystic Leaks suggests it resembles an extended version of Samsung DeX rather than a full-fledged desktop operating system. DeX is a Samsung-developed extension of the Android interface with a desktop environment, taskbar, and resizable windows. Google’s version offers virtual desktops, desktop folders, and pop-up shortcuts. The taskbar includes an app drawer, Google search, and shortcuts to the Play Store and other Google services.
According to the leak, many applications in the desktop environment are not yet specifically optimized for mouse and keyboard control. Even Google apps are currently only running as web versions in separate windows. While this creates a desktop view, the operation apparently differs only slightly from Android on tablets.
The video shows a completely new app called “Link to iOS.” This suggests the operating system can connect not only with Android devices but also with iPhones. Microsoft offers a similar feature in Windows with “Phone Link” for syncing with Android devices or iPhones.
Deep Integration of Artificial Intelligence
The settings and lock screen closely resemble the familiar views from Android smartphones and tablets. The system setup is also done through the usual Google setup assistant. According to Mystic Leaks, many features seem unfinished or heavily based on existing Android solutions.
During “The Android Show,” Google revealed more information about the Googlebooks operating system. Gemini Intelligence will be central to the entire user experience–not just a separate assistant. The most striking feature is the so-called “Magic Pointer”: By moving or briefly circling the cursor, Gemini can directly analyze content, summarize texts, compare products, extract data, or edit images.
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Overall, the Aluminum OS operating system seems like a mix of Android and Chrome OS with a permanent AI “overlay” throughout the system. Google is likely trying to make the laptop itself a proactive Gemini assistant, rather than just a platform for launching apps.