I will now posit a logical stream of reasoning that explains how Google Chrome OS is, in reality, Android for Desktops.
Google Chrome and Android share a common browser platform and screen drawing API.
Google Chrome OS uses the same on-screen drawing system as Chrome and Android.
Google Chrome OS is Linux combined with Chrome.
Android’s Dalvik apps can run on any Linux OS.
Google Chrome OS could easily run Android apps.
Yes, people have ported Android for netbooks. But, Google doesn’t care… either way, Dalvik gets onto people’s desktops, and Google’s home team is being called up to the plate (instead of Microsoft or Apple). And, as long as Google remains the driving force behind the platform (read: cash infusions)… it doesn’t matter if you use Android, Android Netbook Edition, or Chrome OS.
Google 101: Dalvik is the application platform that Android apps run on. It’s a modified version of Java. Contrary to popular beliefs, Android apps typically are not Linux applications. Linux is primarily used behind the scenes, to load the Dalvik environment for applications.
Eventually, they’ll all be one and the same. Enjoy, from your friends/enemies at Google.