Why kernel virtualization matters (a new paradigm?)

Kernel virtualization is not only a fun gadget that allows to run multiple operating systems simulatenously. Today, kernel virtualization is useful for

1. Real time issues, by running real time code in an underlying RTOS below the general operating system.
2. Intellectual Property issues: moving out proprietary code from the Open Source operating system (e.g. Linux that constraints kernel code to be GPL)
3. Running one operating system on multiple cores or hosts.

But virtualization may be even more important in the next decade. The new paradigm is that hardware is not a constraint any more, e.g. it is possible to design some kernel with hardware constraints if emulating them on another processor doesn't add significant overhead.

There will be a time where hardware will only be the optimization of some virtualization use cases.