Google SVP of Android Hiroshi Lockheimer just announced that a super-early developer preview of Android N, the next version of the mega-popular mobile operating system, is now available to download.
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However, it would seem that Google has chose to release Android N early with the launch of the Android N Developer Preview program.
If you’re trying to decide if you should install the new Android N Beta or Developer Preview, or if it’s worth waiting until the release in the summer, below are some additional details, what’s new, what’s broken and more for users. It also support a picture-in-picture mode for devices like TVs, something that is particularly good for video playback.
Multiple notifications from the same app can be grouped together using this feature.
Android N introduces several new APIs that allow apps to post notifications that are highly visible and interactive. This is usually timed with the release of a new Nexus handset, making the debut of the new Android version, and showcasing its new features. If you’ve already adapted your app for Doze, e.g.by using the GCM high priority message for urgent notifications, then you’re set. The feature works on both tablets and phones, and looking at screenshots provided by Google, it looks like you’ll be able to resize the apps with a black bar that separates them. You can also disable multi-window display for your app, which ensures that the system will only show your app in full-screen mode. As unexpected as the actual release is, Google updated the SDK and APIs for Android N as it normally does. Some Java 8 language features – like default and static methods, streams, and functional interfaces – are also now available on N and above. There are six eligible devices: Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. For more info check out this post here.
Efficiency has been improved in Android N. Doze saves further battery power when the screen is off. Project Svelte continues to reduce the memory needs of Android – improving its responsiveness on devices with less memory.
Android N, just like the Android L and the Android M earlier, is starting its journey with an obvious single letter. Delivering tons of new features, improved battery life, fingerprint and Android Pay support and more.
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Interactive notifications have been a staple of Android for years, although they’ve been limited to actions like play, pause or delete. We remind you that in the current OS, in order to be able to add Quick Settings tiles and to reposition them, you must enable System UI Tuner.
