Google eyeing Android for desktop computers?

A patent application from Google is leading some within the technology industry to predict that the internet search giant is looking to install its popular Android™ operating system on desktop and notebook computers, Patently Apple reports.

Currently, the OS is dedicated to mobile devices like smartphones and tablet computers, but the patent may be a sign that Google is looking to make a bigger splash in the PC market.

Android is designed around the use of touchscreens and multi-touch functionality, which are two capabilities that could greatly benefit traditional desktop and notebook computers, Patently Apple says. After all, many laptops already include multi-touch trackpads that have replaced the mouse for mobile computing.

Google's patent application, Patently Apple reports, discusses the relationship between trackpads and touchscreens.

"Trackpad operations may be directly mapped to touchscreen events, which may be processed by applications that may be configured to process such events," the report states.

Android is already the most popular smartphone platform in the world, and is quickly gaining favor among tablet owners. Strategy Analytics reports that the OS surpassed 39 percent market share during the fourth quarter of 2011.