- Google has revealed that it’s developing a Linux Terminal app to transform Android into a platform for on-device app development and eventually gaming.
- The app runs a Debian Linux environment in a virtual machine on select Android devices.
- Recent Android builds can already run graphical Linux apps, paving the way for Android to become a true desktop computing platform.
When Google released a Linux Terminal app earlier this year, it generated a lot of buzz among enthusiasts and developers. Despite the excitement, Google has been quiet about the release, even declining to mention it at its annual I/O developer conference. Recently, however, Google published documentation for the Terminal app, revealing its ambitious plans for the feature.
With the Linux Terminal, Google aims to let developers build Android apps directly on Android devices. Eventually, the company plans to allow users to run full-fledged graphical Linux apps and games. The ultimate goal could be to transform Android into a first-class desktop platform that rivals macOS and Windows — and we couldn’t be more excited.