Android and Linux are two of the most well known open source projects. Also, they have been quite closely linked to each other, but there has always been certain isolation amongst the platforms. However, the separation ended on March 18, 2012. Linus Torvalds, who is the leader of the Linux kernel project, announced the launch of an OS core. Linux Kernel 3.3, as the core is known, marks the end of the gap existing between these two open source platforms.
Link between Linux and Android
You might be surprised to learn that at its very core, the Android phone utilizes Linux technology. The interface used by programmers coding for Android is similar to Java. However, Google uses a customized version of Linux for multitasking, keyboard input and keeping the data at hand, in the memory. This code being used by Google has branched off substantially from the repository kept at the Kernel.org website, which is managed by Torvalds. Because of the close link between Linux and Android, it would be helpful to have knowledge about the Linux platform if you plan on making Android apps. This can be gained through Linux training courses.
Impact of the merger
It is anticipated that the merger of Android Linux with the mainline version of Linux, overseen by Linus Torvalds, will allow faster progress for all the involved parties. Google will have the immediate benefit as it will have to deal with fewer hassles concerning the code and syncing it with the main kernel. Users who were using Linux on mobile phones will no longer have to wait for retrieving improvements from Google’s work. On many occasions, Google will lift a piece of code from an open source project, make its own additions, and start a new line of open source work. But there have been instances when Google prefers working in isolation, which is generally frowned upon by the open source community.
Google is also going to team up with WebKit, whose codes have been used by Google. Before Chrome arrived, Google was working on the Android browser as a branch-off from WebKit browser engine. But since Chrome has become available for Android, the mobile browser will be combined with the WebKit project. In case of Linux 3.3, Linus Torvalds did not make a separate mention about the merger of Android and Linux. However, the merger has been on for a long time and Tim Bird had announced in December 2011 about the ‘Android Mainlining Project’. Attending a few Linux training classes can help you better understand how you can benefit from this merger.
Booting in to Android and WakeLock
Booting an Android userspace implies that it is possible for a developer to run Android on a normal Kernel.org kernel. Earlier, one had to use a customized version by Google. Many programmers, especially those who used Linux in the field of electronic devices, will find this to be a very useful addition. Initially, one objection against Google had been the technology called WakeLock, which was developed in isolation. Ultimately, Google had to address those issues before the merger could be made.
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Maryann says
So in my opinion when a company merges with another one that means that company is in trouble, is that the case here? I am sure with how popular Android is it will be easy for them to pick up Linux and dust them off so that they can work together. I think this was probably a good call for both of them.
John says
This sounds like a good thing and that it is going to benefit any and all that use it. Sometimes mergers are not the best thing for companies but it sounds like this one is going to be good for all involved. You did a great job with your article and putting all the information together. I am going to research this a little more and see what happens.
Robert says
This sounds interesting and it also sounds like it took place a while back. Interestingly enough I didn’t notice any differences in the way things looked or ran which might be a good thing unless I was suppose to notice a difference. Can you clear up the confusion for me and let me know if I was supposed to see a difference? If so it most likely is my computer.
Richard says
I think this merger is a great thing and I hope they can play nice together. Haven’t there been attempted tries to merge with android and things before that just didn’t work? Why do they think this will work any better?
Walter says
As you mentioned in your article, when will the Web Kit come out for Android. You mentioned in your article before Chrome Google was working on the Android browser as a branch off. Is all of this finished and in place so we can put it all together?
Robert says
You have put a lot of useful information in your article and there are a lot of changes still to come that I think programmers are going to especially like. You did a great job with the information and how you delivered it. Keep up the good work , this is something that will be huge and you mentioned it first.
David says
This is a very significant development. This can only mean that the internet and it’s compatibility with mobile devices is now closing the gap and becoming more unified. This may still be far off in the future, but I believe it is small steps like this development which will accrue and eventually serve as chronological events which will one day lead to a new world of unified and super advanced technology. It could mark the first step.
William says
Sometimes mergers are not the best thing for companies but it sounds like this one is going to be good for all involved. You did a great job with your article and putting all the information together. I am going to research this a little more and see what else I can find out and when to expect the changes. I don’t currently have an android but I was thinking about it.
Lowell says
Android is a very popular brand of phone and I can’t seem to recall hearing about Linux at all. I am not as big into the cell phone scene as some people are so that really isn’t surprising. My son is up to speed on all of that stuff so I will ask him what he thinks of this merger then I will decide if I still want to upgrade to an android or not.
Sandy says
From what the article was saying this took place a while back didn’t it? I didn’t notice any differences in the way things looked or ran which might be a good thing unless I was supposed to notice a difference. Was it supposed to run faster or anything like that? I love my android so actually I am glad that nothing changed and I hope it isn’t supposed to.
Troy says
You did a great job on this article and you posted some information that the average person wouldn’t know and you did a wonderful job of it. I think that the changes are still to come though and there will be more in the future still. Technology like this never stops adapting and getting more advanced, but I don’t think we want it to either.
James says
I was surprised to learn that at the very core of the Android it is utilizing Linux technology, very surprised. I thought that Android had their own interface and they were using that for all this time. I thought that was what made the Android such a good phone but I was wrong. Thank you for bringing this to my attention this really helps to clear up some issues.
Mary says
Wow this was not something that I really expected but yet I am not really surprised either, you have one of the most popular phones and the best technology designed, working together as a team. That is a team that would be unbeatable I think. Great article, your timing is always right on time.
Edwin says
Anytime we hear in technology news about any of these significant mergers between conglomerates, you know the purpose is based on some strategy to bolster the strength of the new alliance and or to capture a larger market share. The only obvious advantage to this merger, as far as I can determine, is that Linux wants to become prominent in the mobile market. Maybe they want to bring their expertise in creating OS to Android phones.
Douglas says
David, you have a very interesting view point on this and it almost sounds like you are for a one world order as well. I am not surprised that they did this merger but I am not that happy about it either. We will have to wait and see how this goes because it could really be great or it could fail miserably.
David says
I think that unified and super advanced technology is going to come from Japan in some form and we are going to have to just get on board with it. I do think that closing the gap in the internet and mobile device world is going to help the mobile marketing craze that is going on and this may just be what they need to finally reach everyone.
William says
I am not against change of this nature at all and I think that David is right when it comes to the gap being closed between mobile devices and internet compatibility. This is all par of the next step in technological advances and if you are not on board with change then you are going to be sorely lacking in the near future.
Matt says
Technology like this is just going to keep growing by leaps and bounds. We see this merger now and next year they will have an upgrade of some sort or they will join with some other company to even make it better etc. You never know what is going to happen next you just have to willing to adapt to it and keep growing.
Coy says
I think this is great news because I am about to launch a new marketing campaign and I want it to hit both the internet and mobile devices at the same time and this is going to make that a possibility. You have done a great job getting the information out there and I hope that you will post any updates that you may hear.
Ray says
Well this makes me stop and think should I get an Android now or wait until all of this is taken care of and over with. You have perfect timing by the way because I was going out this weekend to get a new phone but if this is going on then I really think I want to wait a little while before I get the new phone.
James says
Technology like this is just going to keep growing by leaps and bounds. We see this merger now and next year they will have an upgrade of some sort or they will join with some other company to even make it better etc. You never know what is going to happen next you just have to willing to adapt to it and keep growing.
Carolyn says
Based on my limited knowledge about Linux, I know that they are the industry standard for Web server and web hosting operating systems. Linux is also does a great job of creating a graphical user interface for personal computer operating systems. Maybe that is why android has decided to merge or partner up with them – in order to provide a highly functional, yet user-friendly operating system for their android line of phones. That makes sense.
Marilyn says
I think this merger is key to making android users much happier. The fact that the operating system on a smart phone can now operate applications made for the desktop computer via the Linux system of kernels, means compatibility will not be an issue for developing and using many new apps going forward into the future. After all, that is the major issue with most smartphones are incompatible with flash or streaming video among, other things.
Valentine says
I wonder if this merger between linux and Android mobile devices will result in a shift within the marketplace to capture mobile device users . But as we all know, there is major competition to capture the market of mobile phones and mobile device users and this is mainly between lifelong ban androids times. School windup winning this war of the mobile devices? Will this give Andrew in a decided advantage? Design: still the leader?
Michelle says
The one thing I do know about the developers that wrote the Linux operating system, is that the developers of this company operate under the same spirit by which the team at FireFox operates. They embody the entrepreneurial spirit, and that of the startup technology company. The virtues of operating with that kind of mentality is that you get people who think outside of the box. This means they can adapt faster to new approaches.
Susan says
What the article says about the tendencies of Google to use established code is nothing new being done under the sun. It is not in any different from what I do sometimes with the written word. If I see they well written, Informative article, I will study it and take excerpts from it to write my own article. And when you have unlimited resources such as is the case with Google, it is that much easier.
Peter says
I think this was a good match. But did Chrome Google finish working on the Android browser as a branch off before they made this merger? When can we expect to see the mentioned web kit? Mobile devices and the internet capability has finally closed the gap and are being unified this is great work, please keep us posted with new updates.
Robert says
The advances that have been made to make mobile devices just as capable of doing things that your computer can do is out of this world amazing. You can even get an app now that allows you to post things to be auctioned off right from your phone. Ebay didn’t do this but I think they will wish they had. Technology is going to continue to exlode.
Tracy says
We have phones that are smarter than we are and we have car that park themselves. What will be next, I know the cars that drive themselves will come eventually and the smart houses will be big one of these days but I am a little old fashioned and I don’t care for the fact that I have to trust technology. I guess I am a little like I Robot and I don’t trust technology.
Tracy says
Ok so if you get a phone like this one you no longer need to have a phone in your home, you no longer need a computer in your home and you could even do with out a TV if you really wanted to take it that far. This is fantastic and I can’t wait to see what they do next. Is there really anything left for them to do?
Doug says
Mobile device with internet capabilities beyond those of your computer, what will we think of next? I am fascinated by the leaps and bounds that we are taking every years with technology and I can’t wait to see what is coming up this next year. I just wish it was more affordable for everyone. As it sits only the wealthy can afford to have all the fancy tech stuff.