Google's attempt to create a unified operating system for its products is closer than ever, as Fuchsia OS now runs on the Pixelbook.
The company has successfully kept their new OS under wraps for a while now. A short description apparently calls it an "experimental project" that is not intended to replace Chrome OS or Android anytime soon.
A recent change made to the official documentation for Fuchsia reveals that some developers can now take it for a spin on the latest Chromebooks.
What Is It Exactly?
No one from the company has released any official statements regarding the program's intended function. However, it is an open-sourced OS developed by the company, which is distributed to enthusiasts and developers alike. They are encouraged to test, build, and improve upon it
Instead of the Linux Kernels that act as the core of Chrome OS and Android, Fuchsia is sourced from the Zircon microkernel.
Why The Excitement?
Technology experts are seemingly excited about the update that finally adds the Pixelbook as a supported device for Fuchsia. The most likely reason for their enthusiastic reaction is the confirmation that the enigmatic operating system is no longer classified as vaporware for now.
Unlike the previously hyped Andromeda program that was supposedly going to be a step above Chrome OS and Android, the Google-backed software features a dedicated repository and the support of developers from the company itself.
Travis Geiselbrecht, a Fuchsia developer, promises that the software "isn't a toy thing, it's not a 20% project, it's not a dumping ground of a dead thing that we don't care about anymore."
Supported Models And Requirements
With the recent update, developers can now add the Google Pixelbook under the supported devices. Prior to the latest changes, the only two devices that were available for development and testing were the Acer Switch Alpha 12 and Intel NUC.
Users can download the test builds directly from the OS' GitHub page. The supported products should have developer mode enabled, which allows the device to boot directly from a USB flash drive
Having Google's own device on the list adds more credibility to their commitment to continue their support for Fuchsia's evolution.
What It Means For Google In The Future
It appears that the goal of the Fuchsia OS project is to come up with a stable build that will work on any supported device from Google or third-party manufacturers. Just like the Pixelbook's recent compatibility, the software could enhance inter-device communication later on.
Developers are hopeful that a final commercial build will be available in the near future that could possibly become the company's next operating system that will replace Android and Chrome OS.
