Developing Android Apps Directly on Devices: Google Introduces a New Linux Terminal

“Linux Terminal Development” — Source: Pixabay. License: Free to use.

New Linux Terminal: The new Linux terminal application relies on the Android Virtualization Framework to operate within a Debian environment on a virtual device. Debian is a free and open-source operating system known for its stability and strong performance, making it an ideal choice for development environments. This application provides a complete Linux environment, allowing developers to utilize the necessary tools for building native applications, including Android Studio.

Key Challenge: However, this plan faces a major challenge: Android Studio is currently not available for ARM-based CPUs, preventing it from running in a Linux development environment on an Android device. To solve this problem, Google will need to add ARM architecture support to the Linux version of its Integrated Development Environment (Android Studio IDE).

Upcoming Feature: In addition to the new development environment, there's another significant upcoming feature. Android Authority reported that the current Android Canary build, released at the end of July, includes support for Linux GUI applications. They were able to run several GUI applications like Chromium, GIMP, and LibreOffice on a Pixel 8 Pro phone.

Potential Implications: This means Google is not only preparing to facilitate app building directly on Android devices, but it's also paving the way for running full Linux graphical applications, including games. One can imagine the immense possibilities this development unlocks, especially when an Android device is connected to a desktop monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Android and ChromeOS Integration: This development could also be a key component in Google's plan to merge Android and ChromeOS, which would allow developers to build applications for a unified platform capable of attracting traditional desktop users, advanced users, and gaming enthusiasts alike.

“Android and ChromeOS Integration” — Source: Pixabay. License: Free to use.

Conclusion: There is no clear indication of the official release date for this feature, but Google Pixel devices are expected to be the first to receive it upon launch.