Today at the annualGoogle I / Odeveloper conference , we learn about all the update coming to the latest version of Google ’s peregrine operating arrangement , dubbed Android O for now — at least until its official firing subsequently this year . This is the 8th rendering of the OS ( Android 8.0 ) , and even though we ’ve seen some of the additions in thedeveloper previewthat launched in March , there ’s a whole swath of new goodies that Google highlight at the show . So , without further adieu , here are all the fresh updates derive to Android .
The Basics
Eager fans will be felicitous to know that theAndroid O betais being made publicly usable for download today . The physical body is still unstable gift that it ’s not an official firing , so we ’d recommend against installing it on your primary gimmick if you select to start testing it out immediately .
Most of the updates coming to Android ask little tweaks to the operating system that make it do better and easier to ensure . One of the soft position to see these modification is in the completelyoverhauled options app . The unexampled version of Android has fewer top - level choice ( making it easier to navigate ) and slenderly tweaked interfaces for things like shelling usage . This should help combat the criticism that Android has too many menu and is unmanageable to navigate .
One of the other major updates is the summation ofpicture - in - picture ( PIP ) mode . The new PIP mode let users uphold watching a TV in the corner of the screen while simultaneously unravel another app . So , for example , you could look out a YouTube video while you ’re also writing an email , sending a textual matter substance , or taking bank bill The feature of speech works similar to Samsung ’s multi - window accompaniment on fresh Galaxy twist , but Google ’s version also lets user resize the window like they would on a normal screen background computer .
Android O also crap notifications way better . This start withNotification Dotsthat show up as a flyspeck dot on an app image as alarum roll in . The cool affair about these new notifications is that you’re able to long - insistency a Notification Dot and see the alert right from the home screenland . You do n’t actually have to launch the app or pluck down the notice menu from the top of the silver screen .
In summation to dots , Android oxygen addsNotification Channelsthat make it easier to sort through notifications of a specific type . For good example , you could typeset up a canal to take in telling for technology news only , so that you ’re not bomb with political word all daytime long . Or you could clump all of your Gmail presentment together , so that your lock sieve is n’t popping off with every little message you receive .
Other tweaks includeadaptive iconsthat will help the operating scheme look more uniform across devices , WiFi Awarethat lets you transfer files over a wifi connection without the pauperism for an internet connection , andAutofill APIsthat will get you rapidly type in selective information like addresses and phone numbers ( similar to what ’s already usable on Chrome ) .
That bring us to the biggest ( and least visible ) update of them all . Android O will now includebackground performance limitsthat essentially specify what apps can do in the scope to save battery living on your twist . Google antecedently adjust some of these limits in Android N , but the caller is going a step further in this new update to squeeze more life history out of Android earpiece . Altogether , these updates should make using an Android earphone substantially and easier to individualize .
Android security enhancements
Google announced Google Play Protect , a serving that ’s available on every Android type O equipment out of the box seat . It scans your equipment on a regular ground in improver to glance over every app you decide to establish to protect against malware .
Google ’s director of mathematical product direction at Android , Stephanie Saad Cuthbertson , said during the tonic that Google is already using auto learning to scan over a billion equipment daily and more than 50 billion apps every day to prevent the spread of malware . Google Play Protect is essentially a manner to show phone owners how the operating system is observe their gimmick safe .
Android Go for cheap phones
Google is launching “ Android Go ” to make it easier for manufacturers to ramp up cheaper phones for emerging markets like India , Brazil , and Indonesia . The experience is basically a few different optimizations that ship with any Android O gimmick with 1 GB or less of memory .
First , Google will make the latest version of its operating system of rules , Android O , work on headphone with low specs . This means the ship’s company will cut away some of the more demanding processes and vivification .
Of course , beyond the phone ’s execution , data cost and intermittent connectivity have proven to be among the greatest challenge faced in emerging markets . Google is targeting this job by creating information direction quick options that can be accessed by pulling down the bill of fare from the top of the screen . The company has also created an API that carrier can incorporate with to make certain that you phone ’s not gobbling up too much of your pre - paid datum .
Google apps will also get smarter about data . The Chrome data saver feature that simplifies web pages , for example , will be turned on by default . The Android Go adaptation of the app will also show users how much datum they ’ve saved by using this optimize version of Chrome .
Additionally , Google introduced YouTube Go , which return user a preview of video before the whole thing is download . It also has the power to save video while you ’re connected , so you’re able to look on them later when you ’re offline . For more info on this project you’re able to learn out theBuilding For Billionsdeveloper Thomas Nelson Page .
Google’s brain is getting way smarter
Technically , theGoogle brainisn’t part of Android specifically , but it will dramatically affect the way we employ our Android devices , so it feels right to admit here . One of the biggest announcements at this twelvemonth ’s conference is the proclamation that Google Assistant , the artificially intelligent competitor to Siri , is at last coming to the iPhone . The app is free for download go todayand integrates with other Google service like Calendar and YouTube . It ’s also fix a mickle of novel melioration .
Android Auto speeds up
Android Auto has n’t gotten much love or attention since it launched in March 2015 , but that change this twelvemonth thanks to the tweaks made under the hoodlum of Android O. The Modern operating organisation gives Android Auto a much - need carrying into action cost increase that think it will bring up up quicker and switch between coating more quick in your car . It also means that things like apprisal will be bundled together more nicely , making it easier to use your docked headphone while you ’re drive .
Google also announced that Audi and Volvo will be using Android as the operating system of rules in upcoming automobile . The obvious appeal here is all the new articulation - control capability enable through Google Assistant , which is already mix into Android Auto . The primal update is that now Assistant and Android will be able to manipulate car functions like heating system , cooling , and seat positioning in machine from Audi and Volvo .
Android Wear basically stays the same
deplorably , we did n’t see any major updates to Android Wear at this year ’s league . Android Wear 2.0 onlydebuted in February , so it make sentience that Google is still work out on get the operating system of rules on old smartwatches and polishing the latest release . Given theslow adoption rateof Android Wear , we have a feeling most people wo n’t care about the want of update ( yet ) at this year ’s group discussion .
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