The latest edition of Google’s operating system currently known as Android O, promises to offer a lot that will benefit consumers.
The new Google OS is currently only available for developers to test before Google will roll it out to consumers via Android Beta.
Google plans to showcase Android O and provide further detail about all its features at Google I/O (its annual developer conference), scheduled to run from May 17-19.
Unlike the early previews of Android Nougat, the recently announced Android O could actually be the best of all the Android OS versions.
Android O features and how to get developer preview
So you want to download Android O developer preview? The initial preview of Android O is only available for developers at this stage. The OS will only be available through manual download and flash. The preview is supported in a desktop emulator or on one of the following devices: Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and Nexus Player.
Please read further instructions on the Android developer page. Any issues discovered with Android O can be reported on Google’s Issue Tracker. Below are some of the interesting Android O features that will actually benefit consumers:
#1]. Flexibility and more control over notifications
Consumers will now have more control over notifications on their Android devices. Android O introduces notification channels that will provide users with more control over notifications in an app.
This means that users will be able to individually block or change the behaviour of each notification channel. Also, Android O OS adds new visuals and grouping to notifications.
#2]. Improved and better battery life
This is one of the main features in this preview that will surely benefit consumers as battery life has been one of the major issues with Android OS. The majority of consumers using Android OS-powered gadgets have had issues with the battery life of their gadgets. But thankfully, the recently announced Android O promises to offer a lot better battery life.
The new Android OS will prevent apps from sucking battery all the while. It focuses on extending battery life as Google intends to aggressively manage what apps can do in the background. Android O features additional automatic limits on apps to prevent them running implicit broadcasts, background services and location updates in the background. This means that developers will be creating apps that have minimal impact on a user’s device and battery.
#3]. New connectivity features
Google has been trying to add more connectivity features in its Android OS and the new version is just going to offer that. Amongst its new connectivity features is a support for high-quality Bluetooth audio codecs such as LDAC codec.
Also, Android O OS will add new Wi-Fi features such as Wi-Fi Aware, which will allow apps and nearby devices to communicate over Wi-Fi without the need for an internet access point.
The new OS also will also extend the ConnectionService APIs to allow for the integration of third-party calling apps with System UI and operate with other audio apps.
#4].Picture in picture display
This is another great feature consumers should look out for in the new Android OS. Android O introduces PiP that will allow users to watch a video on their phones and tablets while answering an email. Developers will be able to specify the aspect ratio and a set of custom interactions for their app’s PiP mode.
Also, apps in Android O will be able to use an app overlay window instead of the system alert window. The new Android OS also provides multi-display support that allows an activity to be launched on a remote display.
#5].Adaptive icons and autofill APIs
Android O introduces adaptive icons that the system can display in a variety of shapes across different device models and animate interactions with the icons. Adaptive icons are used in the launcher, shortcuts, Settings, sharing dialogs and in the overview screen.
Also, the new Android O adds platform support for autofill via an autofill app. This means that users will be able to store their data, including addresses, usernames as well as passwords. The new API will allow apps to implement an autofill service.
