When it comes to nerd obsessions, the only thin g that can trump a fictional tablet developed by battling left-coast legends is the promise of a revolutionary OS f rom Google that relies upon nothing but a b rowser and the dreams of a young Larry Ellison. Don’t even start with your Korean product waifs as we’re trying to keep the discussion in the realm of possibilities. Now, with the weeken d over, you’ve probably experienced the same sense of ennui we’ve all fe lt at having downloaded and tested a copy of Chrome OS. To be fair, that meh-ness is kind of what you’d expect from a browser-based OS that’s meant to get out of your way. Still, it’s hard not to wonder where Android and its growing application base fits into Google’s long-term OS strategy especially after seeing several ARM-based smartbook prototypes running Google’s smartphone OS. Fortunately, Google co-founder Sergey Brin shed some light on this topic in a candid statement following the Chrome OS event. According to CNET, Brin said that Android and the Chrome OS “will likely converge over time,” noting the common Webkit and Linux foundation of both operating systems. It’s unclear when this might occur however. In f act, listening to Google CEO Eric Schmidt attempt to explain the difference between Google’s operating systems in a recent CNET interview leaves us wondering if Google has a clear idea of its target markets as smartphone and laptop functionality continues to converge across devices. Schmidt concedes that it’s too early to tel l how the OSes will be used and prefers not to “prejud ge the success” of each. “The future will unfold as it does,” he says, and the open-source community will deter mine the natural fit. Check the interview after the break — the Android vs. Chrome OS waffling begins at the 16:30 remaining mark of the 19 minute and 11 second interview.

[Original image court esy of Rich Dellinger]