Schmidt: Google to Keep Android and Chrome OS Distinct

By Tim Beyers – Mar 21, 2013 at 4:48PM

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In remarks in India, the executive dispels rumors of a combination.

At the company's "Big Tent" event in India, Google (GOOGL 0.35%) executive chairman Eric Schmidt said that, despite recent management changes, users shouldn't expect the Chrome and Android operating systems to merge.

"There's more commonality for sure, but they're certainly going to remain separate for a very, very long time, because they solve different problems," Schmidt said in an onstage Q&A session. He also said users should think of Chrome as the fastest and most secure browser, while Android is more a development environment for Java-based apps.

Schmidt was responding to a questioner looking for hints at the future for both operating systems in the wake of Google choosing to shut down its popular Reader news delivery app.

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