Android N was a big announcement of the Google I/O conference held in California. The Preview 3 has been released. Android N is supposed to be launched with the drastic changes & exciting functionalities for better user engagement.
Google I/O conference was a successful event with a major announcement of Android N. It’s is going to rule the market due to drastic changes in the productivity, performance and security. From the technical aspects, many new things are introduced in android N for the better development & user experience. Even the fundamental aspects of the techniques & strategy the system works are also changed.
Expected release:
The first preview of upcoming mobile operating system, Android N has been released at the Google I/O conference 2016. An exact release date of Android N has not been revealed till now. But, you may find many rumours spread about the Android N release Date. But, as per the resources, the final version of OS will not be released in the Summer. The first release of Android N will be in U.K. In the UK the update will affect the devices of well-known companies within first few months of 2017.
Name the Android N:
Google invites the suggestions for the Android N. The names starting from N are invited. Google has publicly announced for the same. Anyone can vote with a name of ‘N’ in Android N which can be a name of any tasty dessert. It’s just easy to participate and submit a name by referring submission guidelines.
Preview 1:
The first Android N preview was focused on the software developers. Any user can install the build if he thinks that the device is compatible. As a part of a process, you need to enroll your device in the program. In this process, the recent Google Nexus devices are allowed in the program. Once you get registered, you get upgrade notification within 24 hours.
Preview 2:
With the Preview 2 of Android N, Google introduces even more features & the interested folks can have knowledge about where the platform is headed. In the new version, there is an appealing change in the folder design. Without opening a folder, you can see up to 4 apps included in the Grid format. In this version, Calculator has been added in the quick settings.
Preview 3:
In this preview, Beta 1 release is stable & reliable enough for the average users. Many striking things have been introduced in this preview of Android N. A big news is, users can optimize new eye-popping wallpapers, keyboard themes, night mode quick setting, camera improvements, power notification controls, etc. & enhance the experience.
Preview 4 & 5:
As discussed above, the preview 2 & preview 3 were incremental data updates. Still, two more previews are supposed to be out. Preview 4 will be introduced with the final APIs, Official SDK & play publishing. Preview 5 will be near to the final system.
What’s new?
- JIT compiler with improved software performance
- Daydream VR
- Vulkan- A 3D rendering API supporting high-performance graphics to the game developers
- Multi-window support- More than one apps can run side-by-side in split screen mode
- Direct Reply- Users can update the tasks list directly within the notification interface
- Data Saver- Enable Data saver option to use less data
- Beefed-up Security & better battery efficiency
Android N for Developers:
Multi-window support: Android N facilitates users to open more than one app at the same time. In the split screen mode, two apps can function side-by-side or one-above-the-other. With the N preview SDK, it is possible to configure how your app handles multi-window display. Apps have a feature to use picture-in-picture mode to continue video playback. By optimizing ultimate features of an upcoming release, Android app developers can integrate many features with smart coding. Large size devices have the option to enable freedom more. With this users can freely resize each activity.
Image credit: www.inverse.com
Notifications:
Several new APIs allow to post highly visible & interactive notifications. From the notification interface, it is possible for the users to replay directly. Means, Android N has added reply action button for better user experience. Developers can follow the guidelines & bundle the notifications with backward compatibility. Developer can utilize the newly introduced API to customize the notification style.
Java 8 Language Features:
Android N supports Java 8 language features. Below are the exclusive features that can be integrated while developing the apps for Android N preview:
- Default & Static interface methods
- Lambda Expressions
- Repeatable annotations
- Method references
In order to use the Java 8 language features, you need to optimize the Jack toolchain. This is the new Android toolchain which facilitates developers with the repackaging, obfuscation, and multidex.
Android for Work Updates:
Provision the device by scanning a QR code. Specifically for the work apps, the security challenges are there when any user attempts to open any of them. Only if the user completes a security challenge, he becomes able to unlock the system. Many useful features for Android Work has been introduced with the Android N preview. Which are:
- Temporarily suspend access to packages
- Toggle Work Mode
- Contacts integration with work profile
- Remote robot
- Disable Data Roaming
- Enterprise Process Logging
- Remote bug reports
- Remove a client certificate
- Grant Access to client certificate on Installation
- System UI policy Transparency
- App restriction management enhancements
- Customized provisioning
- Interface defined for the device health monitoring
- User restriction to change wallpaper
TV Recording:
Just like the TV recording, expanded APIs of Android N let the users save multiple recorded sessions. Users can schedule the recording as the show or program starts, otherwise, they can set it in advance. Additionally, after saving the recording, a user can browse, manage & play back the recording.
ICU4J Android Framework APIs:
Android N exposes the subset of ICU4J APIs. Developers can reduce APK footprint & can simply call out the ICUJ4 libraries in the framework.
For Android N, The information revealed from the resources of Google has been disclosed. Still, it is going to be big technology tweak in the market when actual Android N OS update will be out.
Deepak Patel
CEO & an entrepreneur at iMOBDEV Technologies
Mr. Deepak Patel is an entrepreneur & founder of iMOBDEV Technologies - A leading web & mobile app development company. He is having 8+ years of experience in offering the splendid IT services to the worldwide clients. The informative articles he shares, reflect his skills in technical terms, project management and business development for the website & mobility solutions.