Google works on a large improvement for its Linux Terminal application on Android. The update will allow Linux graphics applications to operate more quickly using the GPU of the device instead of relying only on the CPU. Currently, Linux applications with graphic interfaces are slow and quickly drain the battery because they use the processor -based rendering.
Linux applications accelerated by GPU on the way to the Android Terminal application
The Linux Terminal application was launched earlier this year to execute command line Linux programs. With an IU 8, he made his way to select Samsung Galaxy phones. Later, Google added applications support with graphic user interfaces (Guis). Although this is exciting for developers, applications are currently using a software rendering called Lavapipe, which is entirely based on CPU. This makes applications slow and puts additional pressure on battery management and phone heat.
To solve this problem, Google tests a new technology called GFXSTream, as Mishaal Rahman puts in a Android authority report. GFXSTream is a graphic virtualization system that sends graphic instructions from the Linux virtual machine directly to the GPU of the Android device. This approach allows Linux Applications with Guis to execute much faster, almost as if they operated on an ordinary desktop computer.
Evidence of this feature has been identified in the Android Canary 2509 version. The terminal application now has a “graphic acceleration” option hidden in its settings. Currently, users only see “software rendering” switching for Lavapipe. But there is a hidden rocking for a “rendering accelerated by the GPU”, which is supposed to allow GFXSTream. Google has hidden this option for the moment, and it is not yet fully functional.
Once the GPU care is ready, Linux applications on Android should work much better. The change will make graphic tools during the execution of smoother and less trying on devices, which is particularly useful for developers and power users that rely on these applications for work.
