Thursday, August 23, 2018

ANDRIOD SPECIAL ...9 features of Google’s next version of Android OS


9 features of Google’s next version of Android OS
It’s official, the next big version of Android OS is Android Pie. The new version of the world’s most-popular mobile OS is on its way now and is available on Pixel phones. The other device manufacturers who signed the company’s Beta program will receive the update later this year. Here is everything new in the Android Pie.

Support for iPhone X-like notch on the display
Google is following Apple. The Android P Developer Preview 1 comes with the ‘Display Cutout’ support. The particular section in the official Android P blog post says that the new OS version will support full screen smartphones with a dedicated space for speakers and the front cameras, something that sounds a lot like what we’ve seen with the iPhone X.

Gmail-like ‘Smart Replies’ coming to messages
It’s been awhile since Google unveiled its ‘Smart Reply’ to Inbox, Gmail and Allo platforms. These are automated responses that show up as a reply to mails or a chat. These have now come to messages. These will save the time to type a message.

Differentiate between single and group conversations
With Android P, users will also be able to see which text message is one-to-one or is in a group from inside the notification tray. This is supposed to give more clarity to users right from the notifications area and save them extra taps.

Ability to see images in message notifications
Users will be able to see images in the message notification by swiping down
the tray from the top of the screen, something which was not possible until now. For now, users have to open the notification to see the attachment.

Support for new WiFi protocol
Android P will bring along the support for the IEEE 802.11mc WiFi protocol, which is also known as WiFi_33 Round-Trip-Time (RTT). For end users, this means they may be able to see indoor maps right from inside the apps.

New image compression technology, same as iOS11
With Android P, images will save more data while transferring and save more space on the handset as well. This will be due to Android P’s support for HEIF (heic) image encoding, something Apple has adopted already.

iPhone-like text zooming tool
This is one of the hidden features. This iPhonelike feature gives users a clearer look at what they are typing by giving a magnified look when the user swipes the cursor on the sentence or a phrase.

Multiple camera support for thirdparty apps
Android P will embrace the dual-camera setup, which is there in every other flagship and even mid-range smartphones these days. As such, developers can make their apps support multiple cameras now.

Settings redesign with vertical volume slider
With Android P, the Settings page gets a cosmetic change. The white/ blue colour palettes are now multi-coloured, which many will find as a refreshing change. The volume slider is now also placed vertically instead of horizontally as seen until now. Its placement has also been changed from top to side.

— TOI Tech 14AUG18


No comments: