Google Acquires Cameyo to Enhance Windows App Support on ChromeOS

Google has acquired Cameyo, a company specializing in virtualization tools that allow Windows applications to run on ChromeOS devices.

In a blog post, Cameyo CEO Andrew Miller and Google product lead Naveen Viswanatha highlighted that this acquisition will enhance ChromeOS, Google’s lightweight Linux-based operating system, by providing users with greater access to Windows apps without the need for complex installations or updates.

“By combining the power of ChromeOS with Cameyo’s innovative virtual application delivery technology, we are empowering businesses to modernize their IT infrastructure while preserving their investments in existing software,” wrote Miller and Viswanatha.

Cameyo, co-founded by CTO Eyal Dotan and Miller in January 2018, developed a platform to virtualize Windows apps, enabling them to run on non-Windows machines and even within web browsers. Cameyo’s technology works by "virtualizing" an app and then serving it from a public cloud like AWS, a private cloud, on-premises datacenter, or hybrid cloud environment.

Last year, Google partnered with Cameyo to introduce features such as Windows app local file system integration and the ability to deliver virtual Windows apps as progressive web apps, which run in browsers. This partnership hinted at the potential for a deeper collaboration, now realized through this acquisition.

As noted by The Verge’s Tom Warren, Google has been working to promote ChromeOS in business and education sectors following a tepid response from consumers. With Cameyo’s technology, organizations aiming to transition away from Windows or operate in mixed Windows and ChromeOS environments now have a more attractive option, especially as more applications migrate to cloud and web-based platforms.

Cameyo's website claims that hundreds of organizations, including school districts and financial institutions, already use its software, underscoring the potential impact of this acquisition on the broader market.