According to the Wall Street Journal , Google is copying Microsoft and plans a cross-platform version Android that runs on computers, tablets and phones. The new OS will be ready in 2017.

Chrome OS was Google’s effort to bring the Web and browser-centric experience to more devices, encouraging users to access all software and apps through its Chrome browser on cut down laptops. But the question has always been why did Google need two operating systems?

The Journal claims it was because Google didn’t know which approach would work, so it pursued both, and healthy internal debates ensued. But as mobile device and app usage soared, Android won.

Google started the integration process when it bought Android apps to Chrome and new productivity features to its mobile OS.

Chromebooks will be rebranded when the universal platform launches – only the Chrome browser will get to keep its name. It will mean that Google Play and its apps will be available to laptop and desktop owners.

Chrome OS will remain as an open source operating system that other companies can use to make laptops, and Google engineers will continue maintaining it. However, Google’s focus will be on extending Android to run on laptops.