Google plans to reconstruct Android based on the Linux 3.8 kernel, which was released just recently. This Linux kernel will be a "part" of the OS that Google will develop or improve, which will assimilate certain features once it materializes such as CPU hot plug support, F2FS file system, Intel DRM, Radeon driver enhancements.

By the looks of it, Google is hurrying to study and it could possibly be the basis for the Key Lime Pie or Android 5.0 or the next. Presently, the latest Android version is using the Linux 3.0 kernel and if that would be the foundation for our assumption, there are still quite a few Linux kernel versions for Google to get their hands on-unless they bypass everything and come up with an Android based on the 3.8 kernel as early as next year. The best part of a Linux 3.8-based OS lower memory usage, which is perfect for many high-powered smart devices.

Source: phoronix