Linux Plus Android Equals Easier Multitasking

A new version of the familiar Android operating system and the Linux kernel project was released Tuesday, marking a quiet linking of the two disparate projects responsible for much of the existing mobile phone operating systems.

Scientific American reports that Linus Torvalds, the leader of the Linux project, has released Version 3.3 of the Linux kernel, considered a mainline improvement of the Linux systems already in use by Android.

Android OS devices use the Linux kernel   with a Java script interface for most applications, but there is a slightly different Google-customized version handling non-apps details such as multitasking and keyboard input.

Described as a “fork”, the Google code had branched off from the original Linux system. This week’s link-up is expected to make for easier programming for all concerned and therefore faster progress in the development and utilization of apps mainly for mobile devices. It is likewise expected to keep data available more quickly when the Android and Google branches finally merge into a single operating system.

Devices other than those using the previously Google-customized OS code will also see quicker tasking since the unified Linux-Android system now has readily available added features.

The best result of the linkup is for apps developers making use of the Linux and Android open sources, who will now be directly benefitted by the new Version 3.3 which removes the necessity of retrieving improvements from the separate Google code.