Google planning new version of its browser for ARM platforms

Oct 23, 2018 09:57 GMT  ·  By

Google has never been a big supporter of Microsoft’s modern Windows platform, and its apps are nowhere to be seen in the Microsoft Store for PCs or phones.

However, this doesn’t mean the search giant isn’t thinking about Windows 10 devices, and as it turns out, living proof in this regard is none other than a Google Chrome version for Windows 10 on ARM.

A report from AA reveals that Qualcomm, which is the company supplying the chips for Windows 10 on ARM devices, is already working with a series of partners to optimize their software for the platform. Including Google, that is, and as the product roadmap is right now, the debut of this new Chrome version could happen as soon as the next year.

“We’re still working with the different OEMs and designs. I expect you’ll see it probably around (the) second half of next year. Every OEM will decide whatever their launch timeline is, but we’re actively working on it,” Qualcomm senior director of product management Miguel Nunes was quoted as saying.

Chrome not coming to the Microsoft Store

However, Google’s going to bring Chrome to Windows 10 platforms in its own way and the browser won’t be released on the Microsoft Store.

This means it won’t be available for download like a UWP app, and the reason is as simple as it could be: browsers published on the Microsoft Store must use EdgeHTML, and Google isn’t obviously willing to do this.

In other words, Google Chrome won’t be specifically aimed at Windows 10 in S Mode, as this OS version is limited to the Microsoft Store, but it’ll still be able to run on the platform thanks to the ARM support.

More specifics will be provided in the coming months as we approach the release date, as anything can change overnight if Google has different plans.