[ginko]

>We've reached a point where ideas are gaining ground about immutable infrastructure, people are talking more about things with similarities to microkernels called unikernels [1] (and where they might be used [2]).

Not only this. Amoeba, Tanenbaum's research OS is a distributed operating system, meaning that many devices could be used as a single system. This would be incredibly useful in our current age where everyone has a laptop, a smartphone, a tablet, and lots of other devices that need to be synched.

[qznc]

Usually distributed OS are designed for a scenario where every device is (nearly) always on. Like a supercomputer or a LAN of desktops. Mobile devices want to be mostly off to save energy.

[netheril96]

Well, a new type of operating system is needed then.