At present, Android dominates the worldwide mobile operating system market. Most developers build mobile apps for Android platform to reach out to more users and generate more revenue. But Google is reportedly developing a real-time operating system called Fuchsia. Google is yet to announce Fuchsia officially. The search engine giant even does not any information about Fuchsia. It has been keep updating the new operating system as a pile of code on both Github and its own code repository.
The Google executives describe Fuchsia as one of the early-stage experimental projects. But many bloggers and market analysts believe that Google plans to replace Android with Fuchsia. Recently, Google fuelled the speculations by adding a user interface (UI) to its new operating system. Hence, Fuchsia can now be accessed as a graphical user interface (GUI). The Android app developers must learn about Fuchsia to keep their mobile apps profitable and relevant in the longer run. Also, they can start developing apps for Fuchsia early to beat completion.
Why Android App Developers Must Keep Monitoring Fuchsia?
Google’s Own Kernel
Unlike Android, Fuchsia is not developed based on Linux operating system. Google has developed the new operating system using its own kernel called Magenta. The code posted on various repositories depict that Fuchsia is developed as an operating system for smatrphones and tablets. It manages apps through a card-based system. That is why; many analysts and bloggers speculate that Google is developing Fuchsia as a replacement for Android.
Armadillo
Fuchsia was initially developed as a command line interface. Google recently upgraded Fuchsia by adding a user interface (UI) called Armadillo. According to the information and videos posted on various websites, Armadillo is developed based on Google’s Flutter SDK. It enables programmers to write cross-platform code than runs of multiple mobile platforms including Android, iOS and Fuchsia. The compiled version of Armadillo reveals a card-based system for managing apps. The interface allows developers to drag cards across screens and apply new Google styles.
Combination of Android and ChromeOS
Fuchsia comes with features provided by both Android and ChromeOS. Many analysts believe that Google plans to launch Fuchsia as a replacement for both Android and ChromeOS. However, the source code of Fuchsia differs from the source code of other Google platforms due to Magenta kernel. Google might use Fuchsias as an operating system for smartphones, tablets, computers, embedded devices, and digital systems. Hence, Fuchsia can run the devices powered by both Android and ChromeOS.
Flutter SDK
As mentioned earlier, Fuchsia might be launched as a universal operating system and power a variety of devices. The Android app developers can write apps for Fuchsia platform by taking advantage of Flutter software development kit (SDK). Flutter SDK is being used by both Fuchsia user interface and apps. Flutter SDK renders the apps based on Dart programming language. Dart boosts the performance of apps drastically by making them run at 120 frames per second. However, Flutter SDK generates cross-platform code which is fully compatible with Android. The compatibility enabled many developers to install certain components of Fuchsia on Android devices.
Shortcomings of Android
At present, Android has a much larger worldwide market share than other mobile platforms. But the market share of individual versions of Android differs. The latest version of Android has lower penetration rate than its older versions. Likewise, each version of Android powers a variety of devices manufactured by different companies. The device and operating system fragmentation makes it difficult for developers to create robust Android app. Many bloggers speculate that Google might replace Android with Fuchsia to overcome the device and operating system fragmentation.
Despite developing its new operating system publicly, Google is yet to confirm any information about Fuchsia. Many bloggers speculate that Google might launch the new operating system by 2018. But Google has not revealed its plan to launch Fuchsia officially. The company describes Fuchsia as an early-stage experimental project. Hence, the Android app developers must use Fuchsia only after commercial release. But they must monitor Fuchsia consistently to handle the disruptive technology efficiently.
Arun Kumar Biswal