Google has started working on new open source operating system called Fuchsia that can run on any device. Unlike Chrome OS and Android, it is not based on Linux.
Over the years, Google has moved from being a search engine to powering a majority of smartphones with its Android OS. It has also dabbled in laptops and PC with Chrome OS, with limited success, but it seems Google is just getting started. Now, Google has quietly posted a new project called Fuchsia on its code depository and also on GitHub. While the company has not mentioned anything about the features that the operating system will bring, Fuchsia looks like a fresh start for Google.
For starters, it does not run on the Linux kernel like Android, Chrome OS and Chromecast. Instead, Fuchsia uses a core code called Magenta, which is based on ‘LittleKernel’ project. It is designed for embedded systems, routers and Internet of Things connected devices.
Google already has Android-based Brillo platform for Internet of Things devices, but Fuchsia may be intended for more than Wi-Fi connected devices. As per Google’s documentation, Magenta can also target smartphones and modern computers with fast processors and ‘non-trivial amounts of RAM.’ The documentation also talks about support for advance features such as ‘capability-based security model’ and user modes.
The code on GitHub page was listed by Christopher Anderson and Brian Swetland — both experts in embedded systems. While Anderson has earlier worked on Google’s Nexus Q and Android TV projects, Swetland is currently working with Google as a senior software engineer, The Verge reports. In an IRC chat, Swetland reportedly said that “the decision was made to build it open source, so might as well start there from the beginning.”
Interestingly, the description of Fuchsia on GitHub page reads “Pink + Purple == Fuchsia (a new Operating System).” Some speculations suggest that Fuchsia could unify the Android and Chrome OS into a single operating system, something that has been in the rumors over the past one year. Rumors also point that it could be released sometime in 2017. A few users from Hacker News suggest that Fuchsia could also be used in augmented reality interfaces.