Google has surprisingly surprised everyone with the spontaneous announcement of the Android N developer preview. This early version of the next major Android software update, due to be released later in the year, gives us a good indication of where Android is heading. The second version indicates 3D Touch and VR support. Curious to know what else is new? Let me get you through everything you need to know about Android N below.
Android N Developer Preview: what is it?
As of now, only available on some the Nexus devices like, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Pixel C, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. The Android N Developer Preview is a test version of the new Android software, primarily intended for developers.
The release of Android N- Developer Preview is to give a short of idea Android 7.0 that how it will look like before it officially arrives arrives this year. Yes, but what they will actually provide will be known later. With this post, you will get to know about some of the interactive features of Android N, which is officially going to end up being Android Nutella or Android Nougat.
Android N Developer Preview: what’s new?
Menu between the system settings
A hamburger menu button, the icon with three lines has now been embedded into the system settings. Like, when the user is on the Bluetooth menu, he/she can swiftly jump to the other system option making use of the left side menu. This menu is already a standard in other Google applications.
Reply to messages from the notifications bar
Messages can now be answered from the notification itself. While surfing or making use of an app the user will not need to leave an app to answer a message or even unlock their phone.
Multi-window mode
Google has been working hard to bring a native and efficient multitasking system to Android. With Android N, Google now seems ready to make the leap.
The image below shows the multi-window feature, which works on both tablets and phones and mirrors what you can currently get on some Samsung and LG devices.
New Notifications panel
The notification panel has been completely redesigned. Icons above the notification shade are now more prominent and on the far right there is a dropdown toggle to expand the panel.
Notifications can now also be “stacked”, optimizing the space in the notification area.
Do have a look at this video for better understanding.
Whoa #AndroidN pic.twitter.com/YfmbvPSuIW
— Eric Herrmann (@reporteric) March 9, 2016
Enhanced Doze mode
The energy saving mode Doze has been improved in Android N. Previously, the feature was only working, when the phone had remained completely undisturbed for a long time.
Android Beta Program
Additional new addition from Google is to receive preview builds and updates over-the-air, avoiding the need for flashing factory images. Anyone with a compatible device is able to sign up for the Android Beta Program and receive these previews builds automatically. These are just some of the new features of Android N, and many other improvements are yet to be implemented or previewed.
VR Mode
Native support for VR in Android N. The hint of what Google is working on appears in a menu in the new Android system. By going to Settings > Apps > Configure apps > Special access > VR helper, you can find a menu screen waiting to be filled with a list of apps that are making use of an API designed for VR apps.
3D Touch Support
Apple’s iPhone 6s launched with a pressure-sensitive screen that allowed users to make use of shortcuts by pressing either lightly or heavily on the screen. Now, it looks as though Google is baking support of 3D Touch in its Android OS.
Enhancements to Google Now Launcher
In Android N, Google made two improvements to its Google Now Launcher. Make use of a pinch gesture on the home screen to bring up the overview page, where, at the bottom, options for wallpapers, widgets and settings appear. And, at last, app options when dragging apps from the home screen and the app drawer are consistent. The options are now, Remove / Cancel, Uninstall and App info. It’s a minor but very welcome change.
How to download Android N
If you are a developer or just want to test the preview version of Android N, you can download images of the new OS directly from Google. Remember that this version is unstable and contains many bugs. The update can be downloaded via https://developer.android.com/preview/download.html.
Note: Only the Nexus line of devices can receive the preview build of Android N. Below you can see what the Nexus models support the OS:
- Nexus 9 4G (Volantisg)
- Nexus Player (Fugu)
- Pixel C (Ryu)
- Nexus 5X (Bullhead)
- Nexus 6 (Shamu)
- Nexus 6P (Angler)
- Nexus 9 (Volantis)
Android N name
Android N is purely a code name right now, so what will the new version be called? There are already a lot of possibilities, but the major front-runners are Android Nutella and Android Nougat.
Android N release date
The Android N Developer Preview has been already here and this will be followed by monthly (ish) updates until the final version.That final version will likely come around Nexus time – late September or early October – with Android N availability for other manufacturers and devices in the six or so months to follow.
Google tends to announce its major yearly Android updates at Google I/O – its annual developer conference – in May, so it’s very likely we’ll receive some more information about the Android N developer preview then.