Google Fuchsia OS: What is it and what does it power?

Google is developing an entirely new operating system.

But here’s the thing: it’s unclear at the moment what this operating system is for, including what devices it might power. Here’s everything we know so far about the project, which is currently going by the name Fuchsia. Keep checking back however, as we plan to update this piece over time with the latest reports, rumours, leaked information, and of course, any and all confirmations.

Google Fuchsia: What is it?

Fuchsia is an evolving pile of code. You can find it on the search giant’s code depository and on GitHub. The code is supposedly the early beginnings of an entirely new operating system, though Google has yet to confirm that news. Interestingly, it’s not based on Linux Kernel – the core underpinnings of both Android (Google’s mobile OS) and Chrome OS (Google’s desktop and laptop OS). 

Google Fuchsia: What devices might it power?

The current school of thought is that Fuchsia is a new OS that could unify Chrome OS and Android into a single operating system (something that’s been heavily speculated since 2015. Reports have claimed that new OS will release in 2017. That’s said, Google’s documentation describes the software as targeting “modern phones and modern personal computers” with “fast processors” and “non-trivial amounts of RAM.”

With that in mind, if Fuchsia is not a unifying OS, it could be used to power Internet of Things (IoT) devices, such as Google’s OnHub.

Google Fuchsia: Why could it be an IoT OS?

Fuchsia is built on Magenta. It’s a “medium-sized microkernel” based on a project called LittleKernel, which is meant for embedded systems, such as a device that has a specific purpose but doesn’t require a whole OS, like a router or watch. Also, the two developers listed on Fuchsia’s GitHub page – a senior software engineer at Google and  a former engineer on Android TV and Nexus Q –  are well-known experts in embedded systems. 

Furthermore, Google’s documentation notes Magenta supports user modes, graphics rendering, and a “capability-based security model.” Although all this points to Fuchsia being an OS for Wi-Fi connected gadgets, it’s worth bringing up that Google already has an IoT platform called Brillo.

Google Fuchsia: What else could it be?

Hacker News users have suggested Fuchsia could be designed for augmented reality interfaces.

Google Fuchsia: Are there any other clues?

Nope. The top of Fuchsia’s GitHub page says “Pink + Purple == Fuchsia (a new Operating System).” 

Google Fuchsia: Why is the code public?

As for why the project/code is out in the public and thus was able to be discovered in such a low-key manner, Brian Swetland, one of Fuchsia’s listed developers, reportedly explained: “The decision was made to build it open source, so might as well start there from the beginning.” Swetland also revealed Fuchsia is booting reasonably well on small-form factor Intel PCs and an Acer Switch Alpha 12 laptop.

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