Google has come a long way since becoming a search provider. Apart from becoming a giant empire, this technology company has also become a producer of some of the most used operating systems out there.
For the smartphone and tablet users, there is Android which had gone through many iterations since it was released almost ten (10) years ago. For the budget laptop users, there is the Chrome OS which operates in a diskless environment and with the web browser as its running user interface. Then, there is the Google Fuschia OS whose real identity remains a mystery even in the tech industry.
What is Google Fuschia OS?
The news about Google Fuschia started getting abuzz sometime in 2016 when the developing application was hosted at GitHub, an open source repository among developers with the goal of sharing and collaborating the development of their starting project.
Much like the starting point of the popular mobile operating system, Android, Fuschia was at the time an open-source application still in its very infancy.
But contrary to Google’s current babies, Android and Chrome OS, Fuschia is said to be not based on the Linux kernel. Rather, it is developed using Google’s own microkernel called “Zircon”. Initially, the system was referred to as “Magenta” which was intended to run on embedded systems.
Travis Geiselbrecht, the same developer who made NewOS kernel which runs HaikuOS, is the same man behind Google Fuschia.
However, one very exciting thing about this developing system is its portability to other platforms, particularly tablets, smartphones, and desktops. This is made possible thanks to the OS’ capability to adapt to various scale sizes, according to the platform.
By 2017, the application is slowly starting to take form as showcased with its new user interface by one of the active developers of the project. It is also at this time when he claimed about the authenticity of the project. Inevitably, such claim gave birth to speculations which suspect Google as something under its sleeve about the project.
What is Fuschia OS for?
We are not Google. So bluntly-speaking, we are out of our imaginations as to what this developing project aimed for and what will it offer to technology consumers.
But one strong rumor claims that Fuschia could be the next big thing which Google might use to replace its flagship mobile OS, Android. If this is true, then it might be something which existing Android users may be ecstatic about, especially if they love what their device currently offers.
Yet, with promises like this, many questions are bound to appear which sought to provide early answers to inquisitive thinking. A question like, how is this alleged successor to Android OS be different in terms of new features? Must a development of a third operating system under Google’s belt be a necessary step instead of just making a massive update to either Android or Chrome OS?
For a techie who has the wits with what’s happening in the OS space, the most likely answer would boil down to the ongoing project’s kernel and something which might likely deviate from both Android and Chrome.
With “embedded system” being a likely hint, it would not be surprising for Fuschia to take center stage in the Internet of Things (IoT) such as automating our toothbrushes, appliances, and even robotic cleaners at home.
Just imagine having a “smart” refrigerator who is self-aware whether or not you are already running low on food stocks, say, a carton of milk and a tray of eggs. But more than just alerting you about it, it systematically places an order on your behalf through an online retailer such as Amazon, perhaps.
Of course, what was mentioned is nothing more than just wishful thinking. After all, Google Fuschia OS is still a growing up software currently in its infancy. But science fiction or not, we are actually not too far off with the idea and is something where our future is headed.
Given how solid the market with both Android and Chrome is, it might seem crazy for Google to think ahead of replacing its flagship products. But, when you look it retrospectively, this is not the first time that the giant tech company has planned on developing a third OS. At some point in the Google timeline, there was the project called “Andromeda” which was aimed at bringing some of Chrome’s features to Android, only to be shelved eventually.
Although Andromeda may be nothing but officially cancelled now for future developments, 9To5Google’s managing editor claims that “Fuschia” may, after all, be its spiritual successor. This is both good and bad news: Good, for the fact that Andromeda may still be “spiritually alive” with Fuschia; and bad, for there is also a possibility that this new OS might suffer the same fate as its would-had been predecessor.
What is it like to use Fuschia?
While still in its infancy, Fuschia’s mobile version UI is called “Armadillo” which is nothing but barebones as there is not an app running on it, yet.
At boot, the system may seem like having multiple apps already developed and installed into it, but these are nothing but display. You can scroll through the faux apps vertically and try to run an app of your choice, but what you will get is just a placeholder with nothing in it.
With multitasking in mind, however, Google Fuschia OS did not seem to neglect the importance of having a split screen which theoretically would place two apps running simultaneously with one on top of another.
On the other hand, there is the Capybara UI which is meant for desktops. There is not much yet to tell regarding the progress of this particular OS apart from the prospect that it will mimic Windows’ continuum feature. At this stage, Fuschia for the desktop is not much astray from Chrome OS with many resemblances but only with the addition of action button, taskbar, and options in one corner.
That’s everything we know about it for now. If any information about the Google Fuschia software comes out, rest assured that we’ll be back to update this article to share all the things that consumers need to know.