Last week, I demonstrated how to use Google’s Project Crostini to run full Linux apps on my Pixelbook. The technology is coming soon — I fully expect detailed news and a general release at Google I/O next month — but my shared experience doesn’t cover much on how Google is accomplishing this.
This video, from a GDG event presentation last month, helps explain both what Project Crostini is and how it works.
A few takeaways if you don’t have 15 minutes to watch the presentation:
- Linux containers in Chrome OS aren’t the same as full virtual machines, which virtualize hardware as well as software.
- Android apps on Chrome OS already run in containers, so Google is extending this technology using a solution it already has.
- Containers will reportedly install as Chrome Extensions. This is the first I’ve heard this and I’m not sure if it’s accurate. However, it may make sense from a usability standpoint if an extension can run a script to install a Linux app without the user accessing a command line.
- Google may enable full VM support on Chromebooks in the future based on crosvm code, although my interpretation of crosvm is that it still won’t emulate hardware; that could make development with Android Studio a challenge if you can’t emulate a test device.
I’ll continue to monitor Project Crostini developments through Google I/O, so stay tuned.
3 Comments
I believe Pixelbooks use Intel chips, right? What are the prospects for ARM based Chromebooks such as my Samsung Plus?
Correct, but code commits by the Chromium OS team indicate that they’re working on support for other chips as well. Think we’ll have to wait for Google I/O next month for sure, but I’m betting your Samsung Chromebook Plus does get support. Just a guess based on the fact that Google worked with Rockchip to certify the OP1 processor in your device.
android studio anyone?