The Novice Writer: What the... FUCHSIA!!

Google: Project Fuschia

What the... FUCHSIA!!

Probably to be the new real-time, open source operating system for Google, this could be a “redo” or a replacement of the old Android OS of the colossal giant. It is designed to power modern phone and personal computers. So, would that mean that Google is trying to replace windows and its own blockbuster Android OS? Let’s, find out!!

Fuchsia is speculated to be compatible with all the platforms right from smartphones, tablets, laptops to desktop PCs and dash infotainment for cars. It is claimed that it would work on embedded systems as the ones in traffic lights and digital watches too.

Despite its livable marketing breakthrough unlike other OS, it was presented to the public in much discrete form as it was still in its developing stage. It first popped up on the radar in August 2016 on GitHub - a codebase platform for enthusiasts, hobbyists, and professionals. It was this mysterious codebase repository for Google that leads to the inspection of code which simultaneously resulted in the disclosure of the universal compatibility of the emerging state-of-the-art. Back then, Fuchsia was nothing more than a command line, although it had zipped by in less than a year when the platform emerged with a rather interesting GUI.

Fuchsia's code differs from the preceding systems software developed by Google namely 'Android OS' and 'Chrome OS', due to the different kernels used by them. Fuchsia uses "Zircon" - formerly known as Magenta, whereas the latter is based on the old Linux Kernel (1991) that is quite outdated when compared to the present levels of immense development in the field of science and technology. This supports one of the reasoning for which Google is looking forward to a completely new OS. Some even speculate that Google is emanating from Fuchsia as it believes that Android OS wouldn't be able to keep up with the ever-improvising smartphone hardware.

Fuchsia will use a card-based UI (similar to Google Now cards), which is quite different from the Android interface. It aims to address Android’s 2 biggest issues.

1. A lack of focus on smooth UI performance

2. Rolling out updates to 3rd party hardware ecosystems

Google is dumping Linux and the GPL, even Java as well as all the problems they have encountered with Oracle. The actual operating system will prove to be certainly different with respect to the Android's design; nevertheless, the similar features will exist as

Fuchsia is written in Go, Rust, Dart, C, C++, and Python, unlike Android, that is mainly written in Java.

However, it is premature to account the differences and similarities between the two systems, although a distinct difference, with respect to the current systems, is noted from the demo video of Fuchsia that has been released.

Google is also going to use their new Flutter Framework to build apps. Flutter is a software development kit allowing the cross-platform development abilities for Fuchsia, Android, and iOS. This ability of Flutter enables users to install parts of Fuchsia on Android devices. It also produces apps based on Dart, offering apps with high performance that run at 120 frames per second. This framework forms the user interface (UI) for the Fuchsia which has been named as Armadillo.

If, Fuchsia is nothing but just a replacement for Android leading Google to say, "Why not rebuild our smartphones' platform with today's emerging technology and write a new future to see where it goes!" it could definitely prove to be a radical breakthrough for the giant that would set the footsteps proceeding towards major success in the industry. However, there's one elephant in the room that many are yet to address that can hark back to "One platform to rule them all". Google has been teasing Android apps on Chromebooks for quite some time. Unfortunately, the success of this idea has been moderate. With Microsoft going out of their way to compete with Chromebooks, Google knows they have to expand that ecosystem, or else lose precious ground. Hence, to combat this Google might have taken this approach to eliminate its competitors and remain the leading star in the industry.

It is, palpably very good at keeping this sort of thing close to the vest; which renders a lot of speculation on the part of 'Pundits' in the field. Generally speaking, at least with Android, Google has always seemed to make the right moves.

This has created a conviction in the followers' mind. That Google will ensure better performance and user-efficiency with its substantial transformation.

~Jay Mehta