Google has released the developer preview of its upcoming Android OS
version, Android N, at the Google I/O 2016 event in the San Francisco
Bay Area. While it’s not the final version, this developer preview gives app makers and users some hints about what’s coming in the next version of the Android mobile OS.
There are plenty of new features introduced in Android 7.0 N,
including revamped notifications, better battery life, multi-window
support, and many more.
Although it’s not clear whether Android N will be named ‘Nectar’,
‘Nougat’, ‘Nutella’, or after some other sweet or dessert, but the
company has revealed some of the software’s key features. Here’s a list
of new features and improvement that Google has introduced in Android
7.0 N.
Notification Enhancements
Google has redesigned notifications in Android N which will include
bundled notifications, template updates, and direct reply. With
notification template update, the hero image and avatar will get more
emphasis while the bundled notifications will allow system group
messages together. The direct reply will allow users to respond to a SMS
or text message directly within the notification pane without needing
to open an app. This feature works for all messaging and IM apps, including WhatsApp.
Multi-Window Support
Android N adds support for multi-window which allow users to open two
apps on the screen at once and run them side-by-side or
one-above-the-other in split screen mode. The company has also added
resize option for apps which can be done by dragging the divider between
them. Apart from the multi-window support, Google says that users on
Android TV devices will be able to put apps in picture-in-picture mode,
which will allow them to continue showing content while the user browses
or interacts with other apps.
Project Svelte Background Optimizations
With Android N, Google introduced a project called ‘Project Svelte’
which is an effort to optimize the way apps run in the background. The
new project is focused on optimizing the RAM usage by the apps and the
system. The company is doing this by removing three intent broadcasts,
which could wake up multiple apps at once thereby conserving battery
life and increasing memory usage.
Number Blocking
Android N is coming up with native number blocking feature which
allow users to block the number at the system level. It provides a
framework API to let service providers maintain a blocked-number list.
The default SMS app, the default phone app, and provider apps can read
from and write to the blocked-number list.
Call Screening
The dialer app on Android N also supports call screening, which not
only lets you reject calls from telemarketers & spammers but also
make sure that those calls don’t reach your call log or your
notifications.
Like previous versions of Android, the final consumer version of Android
N won’t land until later in the year, usually around October, but you
can download the developer preview now if you have a Nexus Phone like Nexus 5x, 6, 6P, 9, Nexus Player, or Pixel C tablet.
Data Saver
Data Saver is a new feature that helps reduce cellular data use by
apps. When enabled, the system will block background data and will also
signal apps to use less data in the foreground wherever possible. Users
will also get an option to select specific apps to run in the background
and use data even when Data Saver mode is enabled. So if you don’t have
access to a Wi-Fi connection all day and don’t want your device using a
bunch of data while you’re not using your phone, this new feature is
for you.
Enhanced Doze Mode
Google introduced Doze, a feature mode that saved battery when the
device is idle, in Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Previously, the feature had
only worked when the phone had remained completely undisturbed for a
long time, for instance, when you’re sleeping, but now Google says Doze
will also save battery any time the screen is turned off. It points out
that on turning the screen on or plugging in the device will bring the
device out of Doze automatically. This will help the device to improve
the battery life.
Night Mode
Just like Apple’s recently released ‘Night Shift’ mode in iOS 9.3,
the Night Mode in Android N allows users to adjust the screen
temperature for ease of use at night. The night mode in Android N
enables user dark theme across the device during night. It also applies a
yellowish tint in order to suppress the blue light coming from the
display. The feature also lowers brightness automatically depending on
the time of the day.
You can set your phone to switch on night mode automatically, and you
can even choose to use a dark theme instead of Android N’s standard
black-text-on-white look. To enable it, go to Settings -> System UI Tuner -> Color and appearance -> Night mode.
Improved Google Keyboard
Google keyboard will also be getting some new features in the Android
N. Users can now select different themes for stock Google Keyboard.
There are 14 preset solid color themes available to choose from. Users
can also use their own image as the background for the keyboard. Android
N will also include new emoji characters that are Unicode 9 certified.
Android TV Recording
In Android N, Android TV users will have the ability to record and
playback content from Android TV input services via new recording APIs.
In addition, you will also be able to schedule a recording in advance or
record while you are watching.
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