This is something that many Chrome OS users are going to like. Google has confirmed that Chrome OS is getting full support for Linux apps. This means that devices such as Chromebooks will soon be able to run Linux apps and execute Linux commands without breaking a sweat. The company will release a preview of this for the Pixelbook first before rolling out the full Linux support to all compatible models.
Google wants developers to code on Chromebooks and full Linux support for Chrome OS will go a long way in making that a reality. Developers will now be able to run the Linux terminal, Android Studio, Vim, Sublime, and other tools on their Chrome OS devices without any problems.
It’s going to be easy setting up those tools as well, as Chrome OS director of product management Kan Liu explained to VentureBeat, “Just go to wherever you normally get those apps, whether it’s on the websites or through apt-get in the Linux terminal, and seamlessly get those apps like any other Linux distribution.”
The company has ensured security by putting the Linux app environment inside a security sandbox, running inside a virtual machine. The user experience for the user is seamless as the window treatment and the way they launch the app for the launcher remains the same whether they’re using an Android app or a Linux app.
It’s pertinent to mention here that because Chrome OS isn’t limited to apps specific to its platform anymore, developers will now be able to develop, test, and run any Android app or web app for mobile devices and notebooks on their Chromebooks.