Google has surprised with launching the first preview of Android N
Google, today, has released the first Developer Preview of the upcoming Android N platform. Arriving early in a surprised way, you will have to call it just “N” for now, as officials have not disclosed any desert name for it.
Well sure it’s first time that Google has released an upcoming Android version earlier than its normal routine of introducing the developer previews of its new Android versions at the annual I/O conference, which usually takes place in May. The reason behind is, that Google wants developers to join and involve in the development cycle by using the early builds of the software which is a “work-in-progress” and giving their feedback. In that way Google will have have more time to incorporate feedback into the final build of Android N. Doing this way will also allow Google “hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever”.
What’s new, coming in Android N
Multi-Window: aka Split-screen multitasking, by using a new manifest attribute, developers will be able to incorporate the feature in their apps. This feature will not only work on larger screens but also on the phones too as shown in the picture below.
Direct Reply Notifications: As obvious from the heading, it’s what you would mostly want on your phone, while doing some important thing. That’s to reply right from the notifications when a new message is arrived. This uses the same RemoteInput notification API, as Android Wear.
Bundled Notifications: Bundled or Grouped notifications are now possible from the app. These can be expanded into individual notifications by tapping a new button or by using a two-finger gesture.
Efficiency: Initially launched in Marshmallow, the Doze Mode enhanced standby battery life. With Android N the new and improved Doze Mode also works when the screen is off and the device isn’t stationary or standby. Project Svelte, which helps reduce the memory needs of the platform so it could run more stably on low-end hardware, is also being used in Android N.
Java 8 language features come to Android platform: It won’t facilitated consumers directly but developers will feel much comfortable with the Java 8 language features while working on their Android projects. Developers can use Java 8 language features using Android’s Jack Compiler.
Download Android N Developer Preview
Developers can download factory images for the First Developer Preview of Android N on Android’s developer preview website . “The N Developer Preview includes an updated SDK with system images for testing on the official Android emulator and on Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Nexus 9, and Pixel C devices.”
However Google has launched a new Android Beta Program which will allow you to get the developer preview build via OTA, which will vanish the need of flashing factory images to try out Android N developer preview.
It’s advised that this release is only intended for developers to experiment with. If you are not one and want to keep a fully working Android phone of yours, then you should stay away from this release and wait for a final consumer build. Google has plans to invite consumers too to try out the Android N once it gets closer to a final product.
