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This is our first look at what might be Google's new operating system for phones, tablets, and computers (GOOG)

Ron Amadeo/ArsTechnica

Google is the company behind two of the most well-known and popular operating systems (OS), Chrome OS and — more notably — Android. However, it's kind of an open secret at this point that the search giant has actively been working on a third OS, which goes by the name of "Fuchsia."

Google acknowledged the existence of Fuchsia last year, when Android VP of engineering Dave Burke called it an "early-stage experimental project." What's giving it the status of OS is its recent development, which allowed some people to run the code on Google's own Pixelbook and launch a working system.

IT worker Mitch Blevins opened up a YouTube channel last week and has uploaded a series of videos in which he shows some of the features of Fuchsia.

And on Thursday, ArsTechnica's Ron Amadeo also managed to do the same, and we now have some clear images that give us a flavour of what Fuchsia might end up being if Google ever brings it to actual devices.

The main thing that differentiates Fuchsia from Chrome OS and Android is its core, which is not based on Linux but rather on a new kernel called "Zircon." What this means is that Fuchsia has been developed as a system intended to work on a multitude of platforms, not just phones or laptops.

Here's how it looks:

When the OS first boots up, you are greeted with a familiar, Android-looking lock screen.Mitch Blevins/YouTube

There are three buttons at the bottom right, which can be either clicked or tapped (both the trackpad and the touchscreen work), and Fuchsia's symbol at the top left.

The clock at the center is very reminiscent of Android, too.



If you try to log in, Google will run you through its usual procedure, but the last screen remains blank.Mitch Blevins/YouTube

You can only enter as a guest, and when you do, you land on the home screen.Mitch Blevins/YouTube

The home screen is radically different from that of any conventional OS on both mobile and desktop.

It looks a bit like a stretched out Google Now: There's some info right in the middle — like time and WiFi status — and then what seems to be a custom, personalised feed of Google-related stuff.



Swipe up to get into the Google Now-like feed.Mitch Blevins/YouTube

Google may have replaced Google Now with the more powerful, artificial intelligence-based Assistant, but the feed's look resembles Google Now.

There are only three cards here, and they are just samples (as there is no user logged in), but they are the same kinds of cards that appear in your mobile Google feed — including the rounded look.



Yes, apps are still there!Mitch Blevins/YouTube

The big difference between Fuchsia's home screen and those of more traditional operating systems is the complete lack of apps: There's no dock, no desktop icons, and no launcher.

What is there, however, is Google's famous search bar — and in this alpha version of Fuchsia it doesn't search the web, but rather the computer itself, including apps.

The apps don't actually work — they're just image placeholders showing mockups — but they go full screen and show a differently coloured strip at the top.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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