Introduction
Fuchsia is Google’s mystery operating system, hence there has been endless rumors. A while back, Google announced that Fuchsia is not Linux and experts believe that this new operating system will eventually replace Android (with little hard proof).
Fuchsia is Google’s Android-Chrome hybrid OS
As Google hasn’t talked much about the OS, we don’t know what Google Fuchsia will exactly be. Google Fuchsia is both esoteric and thin on the ground.
However, we do know that Google Fuchsia focuses on the idea of enabling users to do whatever they want on whatever device they have handy. We can even observe a similar approach in some of Google’s recent activities – like bringing a VR video editor and Android Messages to a significant range of devices.
What is Google Fuchsia?
Pink + Purple == Fuchsia (a new Operating System)
It’s hard to conclude what Fuchsia actually is!
While the leaders of Google is still referring Fuchsia as an experiment, the team working on the OS says they want Fuchsia to be the penultimate OS of Google that can run smoothly on tablets, phones, laptops and even on smart home devices.
As per 9to5Google, Fuchsia’s entirety is comprised of two different but connected UIs: one is phone-centric codenamed ‘Armadillo’ and another one is traditional desktop UI known as ‘Capybara’ internally.
We just have to wait and see what Fuchsia will ultimately be.
To cut the chase, Google Fuchsia is a hybrid operating system that is still very much in development. Whether it’s in the mobile orientation or in the desktop, Fuchsia is loaded with the classic Material design of Google, found all over its Chrome OS and Android products.
Using a new Vulkan-based graphics renderer, Escher, Shadows are key focus on the design aesthetic of the OS – adding more depth to the interface.
Fuchsia OS would enable programmers to code applications, tools, and programs that could run smoothly on all of the platforms of the Google, without the need for the optimization.
So far, there are more information about the mobile version of Fuchsia than the laptop version, but recently, ArsTechnica was able to get Fuchsia running on a Google Pixelbook in an early form.
What Will Google Fuchsia Do?
As far we know, every device would be compatible with Fuschia, unlike, the MacOS or iOS that operate only on compatible devices. Think of it as a hybrid that would offer mobile-designed views and traditional desktop interfaces.
Designed on mobile layout and other view, apps are displayed as cards on a home screen – enabling multitasking, allowing users to collapse different apps into each other and interact with the apps using a split-screen interface.
How Will Google Fuchsia Work
The central part of every operating system is a computer program, known as a kernel. The Kernel manages and controls the operations of how an operating system runs basically by instructing the CPU (central processing unit) how to process data.
Fuchsia will be based on new microkernel called Zircon
As we all know, Google’ Chrome OS and Android are based on Linux kernels, while as per sources Fuchsia will be based on a new microkernel called Zircon.
This might make it easier for developers to upgrade apps over time – ultimately making sure that when the whole operating system is updated, some programs won’t be obsolete.
When Google Fuchsia May Launch?
Ever since August 2016, there are endless rumors floating around about the release date of Google Fuchsia. Each rumored date turned out to be false. Rumors usually float around Google’s big Google IO developer event.
In February, sources revealed that Nick Kralevich, the former head of Android platform security Google, left the Android team to ‘define security’ in the Google’s Fuchsia department. Kralevich described Fuchsia as a “new, experimental OS,†however, doesn’t hint at any specific launch window. There are only rumors and nobody knows when Fuchsia may launch, or if it ever actually comes out.
However, there are some recent developer messages through the Android Open Source Project.
One of the commits mentions two significant repos that the 9to5Google take to be the “incorporation of the official Fuchsia SDKâ€.
Another commit mentions the Huawei Honor Play smartphone – meaning we could see Fuchsia tested on actual devices soon.
Wrapping Up
What is Fuchsia?
A hybrid, multi-device operating system, Android-meets-Chrome
Any release date?
Nobody knows the actual release date. However, an early form is available on the Google Pixelbook now.
What will it cost?
Most probably nothing, as is with Android and Chrome
Sources: 9to5Google, techradar