With Fuchsia OS, Google has been building its own operating system as an alternative to Linux for years, which was updated unexpectedly and without prior notice on the 1st generation Nest Hub in August of this year. However, the development does not end there, further devices and form factors are to follow.
Job postings at Google indicate that the company not only wants to bring Fuchsia to more smart home devices in the future, but also wants to expand the use of the operating system to other device classes and not limit it to smart displays such as the Nest Hub. The job descriptions suggest that Google is planning to set up its own team for this.
In In 2021 we shipped Fuchsia to millions of Google smart displays, now it's time to expand to additional smart devices and other form factors. Come join us and work on the next-generation Google operating system!
Although the first uses of Fuchsia are smart displays, we are working on expanding to additional form factors and use cases. The Fuchsia Devices team is responsible for making sure we can successfully apply the Fuchsia platform to real world products that make a difference to Google and our users.
Job description from Google
In addition to a staff software engineer, Fuchsia Devices, Google is also looking for an engineering manager, Fuchsia Devices (job posting has since been removed, editor's note), who should ensure that Fuchsia is brought to other “real devices”, that support the Google Assistant and fit into Nest's portfolio.
Also Nest Hub Max soon with fuchsia?
There have already been indications in the past that Fuchsia OS could also be delivered retrospectively for other devices. However, it is not yet known whether the Nest Hub Max or the Nest Hub of the second generation (test) will also be converted. Google made the change from Cast OS to Fuchsia OS in the first generation Nest Hub (test) so smoothly that it was initially unnoticed. The surface of the smart display and the functions remained completely unchanged by the new operating system. Taking such a step with an established, delivered device is quite remarkable.
Google also wants to provide Fuchsia to partners
Google does not want to reserve Fuchsia OS exclusively for its own devices, but also explicitly states that partners should be supported in the development of Fuchsia-based devices by advising them on the choice of hardware so that it is optimally matched to Fuchsia OS.