Google has let their avid fans in on the next version of the Android so that everyone can take a look at what’s coming their way. New features and apps are just the beginning of the new updates happening on the Android. Though it’s not yet time to make these updates on your phone, yes, you’re going to have to wait a little bit longer, but this doesn’t mean you can’t wait in anticipation knowing what’s heading your way. We’re going to show you the 6 things you need to know about the Android P.
- Indoor Positioning
Google is improving the turn-by-turn directions for inside use, making them just as good as using Maps when you’re outside. Android P will also help you out by informing you how close you are to WiFi access points that you’re already connected to and developers will be able to use this information to provide you with more accurate locations of where you are.
- Multi-camera support
Most Android phones have multi-cameras on both the front and back of their phone, however, most of them are unable to work at the same time. The new Android P is adding an API for developers to explore the use of using multiple cameras at the same time. What does this mean? This could result in depth-sensing with multiple cameras to Portrait Mode or commercial phones using a basic camera. In addition, they’re adding support for image stabilization and display-based flash as you would use with the camera app on your phone. So, third-party cameras are going to work even better.
- Extreme Privacy
The Android P is going heavy on user privacy and security. They’re adding restriction systems for sensors, microphones, and cameras when an app is idling. Instead, the systems will stop reporting to the app as soon as it idles and, in addition, apps searching for information will not be sent any data. They’re also removing requests for background access.
Google is enabling encryption for backups that come with a client-side secret and per-network randomization of MAC addresses, however, these features won’t be accessible until later updates of the Android P come out.
Lastly, individual apps are going to have access to fingerprint system in Android P which means there’s a better UI for apps so that fingerprint authentication comes from a trusted source.
- Dat Notch support
If you notice the buttons on your phone, with each new update to Android, the notch areas in the display are easier and easier to avoid. Android P will make it easier for you to support the cutout in the display with APIs which help create UI around the notch. This results with a full-screen app with buttons on the sides that are able to avoid the notch areas in the display. Several different notch styles have been used in the Android P simulator so you can test this out without having a phone with a notch on the front.
- Notifications improvement
Google is going to allow developers to their conversations from messenger into a notification. They’ll be able to view the entire message, including attachments which improves the overall at-a-glance messaging. In addition, you’ll only receive via notification instead of multiple notifications from the same person.
It will also allow developers to add quick replies, though it’s not clear yet on how much control developers will have over the type of replies they send.
- It’s not ready yet!
Though Google leaked out some info on what to look forward to, when Android releases a new version for developers, it still means that the Android is unstable and unfinished with features that may not even be finalized with the release of Android P.
If you’re not working on an app, then you won’t want to install the first version of Android P. Now, if you have to install it onto your phone, make sure that the phone you’re installing it on isn’t one you have to rely on.
