Google Brings Linux to Chromebook

May 14, 2019

Swapnil Bhartiya

All new Chromebooks will be capable of running Linux.

Linux-based Chromebooks are not capable of natively running Linux apps and utilities. Last year, Google launched project Crostini to allow Linux apps – primarily command line tools and utilities – to run natively on ChromeOS using containerization.

According to some media reports, at the Google I/O summit this year, Google announced that “all Chromebooks launched in 2019 will be Linux-ready right out of the box.” It means all new Chromebooks will have Crostini enabled by default.

“Crostini is the umbrella term for making Linux application support easy to use and integrating well with Chrome OS. It largely focuses on getting you a Terminal with a container and easy access to install whatever developer-focused tools you might want. It’s the default first-party experience,” said the Project Crostini page.

Both Google and Microsoft are trying to lure developers towards their platforms, and they see a benefit in providing Linux command-line utilities that many developers/sysadmins need to test, build, and run their cloud-native applications.

Related content

Chromebooks Support Debian Applications

Containerized Debian environment is now available through the Chrome OS dev channel.

more »
Chromebooks on Linux

Chromebooks are firmly locked in the Google jail, but with the right know-how, you can break out of vendor lock-in and operate the devices with free software.

more »
NEWS

This month in the news: Chromebooks support Debian applications, Opera embraces Snap for Linux, Canonical fixes boot failure issues in Ubuntu, weird unofficial LibreOffice version shows up in the Microsoft Store, new version of the Spectre vulnerability allows attack from the network, and SUSE sold for $2.5 Billion.

more »
Turn Your Chromebook into a Lightweight Backup Station

more »
Cog: System Info App for Chrome and Android

more »

comments powered by Disqus

Issue 35: 101 Cool Linux Hacks/Special Editions

Buy this issue as a PDF

Digital Issue: Price $15.99

(incl. VAT)

Linux Administration

Keep your edge with these powerful Linux administration tools:

Turbocharge Your Network with Zeroshell
Using ARP for Network Recon
Monitor Your Network with Zabbix
An Open Source Audio Editor and Recorder
Managing Network Bandwidth with Trickle
Become a certified Linux Admin professional with the Linux Professional Institute LPIC-1 Systems Administrator certification.

News

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Available

An OS redesigned for the hybrid cloud era.
Google Brings Linux to Chromebook

All new Chromebooks will be capable of running Linux.
Fedora Project Announces Fedora 30

The latest version comes with new tools and a new alignment of the various Fedora editions.
The Apache Software Foundation Completes Migration To GitHub

The foundation has decommissioned its own Git service.
Canonical Combines its Services in a Single Package

Now customers can gain access to all of its services under Ubuntu Advantage offering.
Black Hole Image Has an Open Source Connection

Community

Two imaging libraries responsible for the image are fully open source.
Linux Mint Founder Calls for Better Developer Support

Linux mint , Linux Mint

Usually cheerful Clement ‘Clem’ Lefebvre says he "hasn't enjoyed" this development cycle.
Software Freedom Conservancy Announces End to VMware Lawsuit

VMware agrees to remove the offending code in a future release.
Chef Goes All Open Source

The company behind the popular DevOps automation tool is releasing those proprietary add-ons built around the open source core.
SUSE Spins off from Parent Company

Community

While IBM has acquired Red Hat, SUSE goes solo.