The latest Android 16 Beta 4 update brings significant improvements to the Linux Terminal app available on Pixel smartphones, Android Authority reports. The app allows you to run a virtual machine running the Debian operating system, opening up the possibility of using popular Linux desktop applications alongside Android apps.
Previously, the virtual machine was limited to 16 GB of disk space, which limited its functionality. However, users can now resize the disk, using almost all of the available space on the device, leaving 1 GB for stable system operation. For example, on the Pixel 9 Pro, the volume was increased to 42.3 GB, which significantly expands the storage capabilities.
In future updates, Google plans to introduce dynamic memory management, which will automatically adjust the amount of space available to a virtual machine. This will allow for more efficient use of device resources and avoid memory issues.
While Linux Terminal doesn't yet support graphical applications or audio, it opens up new possibilities for using Pixel smartphones as portable Linux PCs. Google is actively improving this app, which could be an important step in the development of Android as a platform for universal use.