Summary
Learn all about Google’s upcoming Android N update.
INTRODUCTION
Although most of the new handsets today are pre-built with the Android 6.0 or Marshmallow version, a report revealed that almost no one is using the latest Android version.
Four months after its official launch (February 2016), Google’s recent mobile software only received 1.2% downloads.
Will the upcoming Google N have the same struggles?
The developer preview 2 of the Google mobile software version 7.0 was already released to selected users. It gives them a sneak peek into the upcoming Android N before the official version arrives later this year.
Although the developer version often contains features that don’t appear on the final release, there are still plenty of exciting new functionalities worth noting that Google already confirmed.
Here are some of the new and exciting upgrades on the Android N:
MULTI-WINDOW MODE
Google confirmed via a Reddit AMA a few months back that multi-window feature will arrive on Android N.
Andrew Bowers, product manager of Google, confirmed that the split screen is in the works, and it did appear as one of the built-in features on the developer preview 1 of the OS.
Apps will now have to add support for a split screen mode that opens up side-by-side with the option to resize with a movable slider.
Upon using the Android N, users can easily drag and drop text between split screens, while having the option to drag the slider all the way to the edge to go full screen.
NEW DOZE MODE
Marshmallow’s famous Doze Mode is enhanced on the Android N, which now features a Two-Tier system.
The First Tier works when the phone is not being used. It automatically puts the handset to sleep when placed in the pocket or backpack, whether stationary or not.
The Other Tier works just like the current Doze Mode with some improvements. When the user isn’t using their handset, it will automatically enter a deeper hibernation mode that defers the network before going to sleep.
Both Doze Mode promise better battery management for those users who want to their handset to operate for long periods of time.
NEW SETTING MENU
Amongst the revamped features of the Android N is its settings menu that now includes a Suggestions drop-down section at the top part of the page and the elimination of the individual section dividers.
Users can now view basic details of each section, so there’s no need to enter the Wi-Fi section to see which network you are connected to as you can now view it at the top-level settings menu.
Sound and Notifications are no longer grouped together, as they are now given their own dedicated sections.
They also added the hamburger menu returns so you can quickly escape the main settings when you are several levels down in the sub-menus instead of clicking the back button.
OTHER EXITING FUNCTIONALITIES
Apart from the aforementioned features here are the other long-awaited built-in functionalities you will love on the Android N:
- Freeform window mode
- Quick settings panel
- Change display size
- Faster app optimization
- New apps and multi-tasking
- New data saver
- Improved call screening and number blocking
- Emergency info on the lock screen
- Option to move from Java APIs to OpenJDK
- Quick reply on lock screen
- Camera changes
- Unicode 9.0 emoji support
SUPPORT FOR MODULAR PHONES...?
Photo Credit: portalgda via Compfight cc
Although the modular smartphone concept has been on the market for quite sometime, it was not until this year that the idea became a household term.
In fact, Tech First said the modular smartphone revolution may come sooner than expected. Today, small steps are being taken by the mobile tech industry in making this concept into a reality.
Amongst one of the most revolutionary handset running the Android 6.0 is the LG G5, which will also be upgradable to the next Google mobile OS.
This modular smartphone features the Marshmallow’s Google Photos that allows users to share their pictures across all other devices quickly and easily.
What many would like to see is the possibility of the Android N having enough support for modular smartphones like the LG G5.
According to O2, the smartphone has interchangeable modules that extend the battery and enhance some of its features such as the camera, audio, and VR support.
Without enough support from Google, app developers, and module manufacturers, this idea may just become one of the mobile tech gimmicks that will struggle to flourish.
LATEST ANDROID UPDATE
The Developer Preview 2 now has support for the Vulkan API that offers smoother graphics from the interface to the apps.
It also features programmable shortcuts in the launcher itself, which many said works similar to the Task Edge featured on the Galaxy S7 Edge. Google also released new human emoji designs as well as API changes and bug fixes on the latest android OS preview.
Google confirmed the release of Android 7.0 in the third quarter of 2016, giving them until September 30 to fix any problems before the official launch.
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