Google has been released developer preview for Pixel and Nexus devices for Android O. It is currently available for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel, Pixel XL and Pixel C devices. With this update, Google has introduced several new changes over Android 7.1.1 which will put visible impact on your device. Today, we will discuss new features of Android O which are described below:
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1. Redesigned Settings Menu
The Android O comes with totally redesigned setting menu which features subtle dark gray text on an all-white background. Strangely, the side navigation menu introduced in Android Nougat is gone, but all of the various menus have been reorganized to make the Settings area as simple and straightforward as possible.
2. Improved battery life
Google is making big efforts to provide best possible way to provide optimize battery performance and The past few Android updates have seen a lot of features such as Doze mode and Doze on the go aimed at improving battery life. With Android O, google is going to take it next level with better restriction on battery eating apps. The next update will ensure that apps won’t run wild with background services or keep listener services open at all times.
3. Picture-in-Picture (PIP)
Google has introduced a new feature called PIP after launching split screen mode. It will allow users to minimise whatever video they are watching and watch it whilst using another application. though apps will need to be updated to support the new API but still Google didn’t integrated this feature on new update app but hopefully will do before Android O’s final version.
4. Adaptive Icons
With the Google Pixel and Pixel XL launch Google introduced the Pixel launcher which brought rounded home screen icons. Moving to Adaptive icon, With this new feature in Android O, developers can create a single, unified app icon, and the system will do the rest. This feature will allow icons to easily adapt to whatever environment they are in, any custom UI provided by 3rd party OEM’s like TouchWiz, Oxygen or any other.
5. Redesigned Battery Menu
The battery menu in Android O is totally got redesigned visuals with totally fresh look. Common battery-related options such as Adaptive brightness and Battery saver are now near the top of the menu for easy access, and the battery usage graph is a bit easier to read. But the most interesting change here is a set of statistics at the bottom of the main menu, which tell you specifically how much of your battery was used by mobile network scanning and the device’s display.
6. Improved Audio Quality
With Android O launch, google made several changes to enhance the audio experience. The Android O comes with support for high-quality audio codecs such as LDAC. Apart from that, Google is also introducing AAudio – a new native API for applications needing support for high-performance, low-latency audio.
7. New File Manager
Android’s Inbuilt file manager always gets criticism for lack of needed features. Current file manager is not the best one but enough for basic work. But their are lot more advanced apps available in play store like Fx File Manager or Solid File Manager which do much batter job the Android’s default file manager.
With Android O, Android O File app get a bit of new makeover but still Google has to do more work to give ultimate experience.
8. AutoFill API
With Android O, Google is adding platform support for AutoFill. Once users select which AutoFill app they want to use, it will be able to fill passwords and other details across the whole operating system. Autofill already available in specific Android apps like Chrome, Massage but not the part of whole OS.
9. Unknown Sources
Android OS needs to enable unknown sources to install any APK file outside play store. But in Android O things are going to change. You’ll now also have to grant permission to the app you’re using to download the APK.
For example, if you want to download an APK via Chrome, you’ll first be prompted to give Chrome permission to install other apps via the “trust apps from this source” toggle in the special access section of the apps and notifications setting. You only need to do this once per app however and you can always revoke permission at a later date.
These are top Android features and lot more coming. We will add more features by time of testing Android O preview. Hopefully you enjoyed this article.
Release Date
The Android O release will ultimately become Android 8.0 but still name is not confirmed but it might be called Android Oreo. What you say? Google has already shared a timeline for the rollout of each preview build with the 2nd developer preview will roll out in mid-may, likely during Google I/O, the third in mid-June and the fourth in mid-July.
The last and final version of Android 8.0 will be out for supported Pixel, Nexus and Android One devices sometime in Q3, most likely in late August or early September. No idea about other vendors but Moto devices should definitely taste before other OEM’s because of its stock Android friendly skin.
