Although it is true that Google ChromeOS users are not as abundant as Debian, Linux Mint or Fedora users, the truth is that it is still just another distribution, but not GNU but belonging to Google.
The great company of the search engine has decided to update its operating system and make it more compatible with Gnu / Linux applications. The ChromeOS next update will be compatible with Linux virtual machines.
This is a big step since will allow the execution of Gnu / Linux applications on Google ChromeOS. This compatibility will not be short-term but it is expected to arrive before the end of 2018.
Along with this compatibility, Google ChromeOS will have support for a huge number of applications and computer programs since for a long time it not only supports its applications but also supports Android apps, expanding its catalog of applications even further.
Gnu / Linux applications are not many more than the applications of the Android ecosystem, but we must remember that the world of the Server is covered by LinuxTherefore, after supporting this type of application, ChromeOS will have access to various tools to manage networks and servers.
Although there are many users who claim that ChromeOS will end up disappearing in favor of Android, the truth is that Google increasingly invests more support in Google ChromeOS, which tells me that Google's plans will be similar to other free projects such as PureOS, which intend to create a distribution for mobiles and another for desktop and that both can converge or have the same compatibility.
Personally, I do not think that this support for Gnu / Linux will change the course of ChromeOS much but it will be something that the "possible" users who come or know about Gnu / Linux will see positively, although we have to say that the philosophy of the operating system remains the same.