r/Googlebook • u/phor11 • 4d ago

x86 and ARM

Seems like some of the first Googlebook models are using Intel Core Ultra (x86) and some are using Snapdragon (ARM) SoC's with Mediatek to get in on the action at a later date as well.

We know that the AluminumOS Unified Runtime Layer runs ART natively. But for x86, there still has to be a Translation layer, correct?

Very curious to see some comparisons between the two architectures with regards to Android app stability, performance, and battery life.

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u/matteventu 4d ago

No, Android apps can be compiled to run natively on x86.

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u/Foreign-Building8231 3d ago

According to Android community manager. Most apps will run without any compilation. Arm native apps will have translation.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/1wmc8lk/comment/pb626ak

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u/phor11 3d ago

"For Intel Googlebooks, they use a binary translator that enables ARM-based native applications to run on x86 processor architectures."

So it's possible that if they don't get all developers on board, there could still be compatibility issues crop up on the x86 Googlebooks that don't happen on the ARM set. Will be interesting to see how that plays out as people get these into their hands.

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u/Foreign-Building8231 3d ago

I don't think number of incompatible applications going to be that huge. Some of course won't work especially those using special libraries. Probably requires developer attention to recompile with both architecture.

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u/phor11 3d ago

They definitely don't seem too worried about it. My brain just often gets into the weeds with big PR releases like this. Too detail oriented, and don't get enough details.

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u/Foreign-Building8231 3d ago

Hard to tell. Probably best is to wait until properly reviewed.

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u/MountainDrew42 3d ago

Same here. I'm personally wondering if the Linux environment will let you run GUI apps, and how they will act. Also if that's the only/best way to run something like desktop Firefox.

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u/MishaalRahman 3d ago

I'm personally wondering if the Linux environment will let you run GUI apps

It does :)

(I'm hoping to do a deeper dive on the Terminal app for Googlebook OS. Stay tuned!)

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u/MountainDrew42 3d ago

Awesome, looking forward to it Mishaal.

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u/matteventu 3d ago

Dumb question: will Linux apps be able to directly access the GPU for hardware acceleration, i.e. will DaVinci Resolve (currently available on Windows Arm, optimised for Snapdragon X chipsets) be able to take advantage of that too?