Top 5 Features of Android N that Separates it from the Previous Versions
Android N has been in active development and there have been some new features specific for developers. The Android N preview went live for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player and Pixel C primarily meant for developers.
The final Android 7 release will be limited to Nexus devices at first and make its way to other devices later. The official release date has been confirmed for the third quarter of 2016. One will notice big changes earlier than ever, which are made to ensure Android to be more stronger than ever before.
It appears Android N will be named Nutella. There’ll also be a beta program for consumers announced at a later date. Here are some of the key features outlined from the developer preview:
1. Multi-window Support
Multi window support is a much requested multitasking feature introduced in Android N where users can now open two apps on the screen at once. This feature has been available on Samsung phones and it is also similar to what iPad Air 2, and iPad Pro can do. It can resize the apps by dragging the divider between them. Users are able to interact with other apps while browsing the other content.
Especially on tablets and other larger-screen devices, multi-window support delivers new ways to engage, thus enhancing user experience. There’s also a new picture-in-picture mode that works just like minimized video on YouTube.
2. Direct Reply Notifications
Notifications are more organized, detailed and interactive in Android N. With this direct reply notifications, it makes using the new operating system a seamless experience. Google is opening this up to all developers.
The ability to reply to notifications directly from the alert, without entering the app will bring up the keyboard and provide the opportunity to reply in-line.
Developers will be able to take advantage of the new templates with minimal adjustments in their code. It is integrated with two new APIs that will enable to leverage system decorations, such as notification headers and actions. iOS has something like this and so it’s a welcome addition to Android too.
3. Enhanced Doze Mode
Now the new Android N continues with Marshmallow’s favorite feature of Doze mode, a system mode that saves battery by deferring apps’ CPU and network activities when the device is idle. Google will expand Doze to make optimizations whenever the screen is turned off.
Android N has introduced a new feature of two tier system. The first one operates whenever the screen is off for a while and the other layer of Doze Mode works as before when the phone is lying still, it will enter a deeper hibernation mode. This means users can save battery even when carrying their devices in their pockets.
4. Android N Settings Menu
The new Quick Settings menu that appears at the top of the notifications shade is a popular and simple way to expose key settings and actions. In Android N, Google has expanded the scope of Quick Settings to make it even more useful and convenient. Toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb, Airplane Mode and Mobile Data now show up with one downward swipe from the top. Users can add or move tiles just by dragging and dropping them.
Of course, the presence of the hamburger menu in Android N also does away with the duplicated actions of the back arrow in the settings. Google is allowing users to re-sort quick settings and Android N takes this a step further.
5. Data Saver
Cellular data is an expensive resource that need to be conserved. With the help of Data saver in Android N, one can save on cellular data use, whether on roaming, or on a limited prepaid data pack option.
When a user enables Data Saver, the system blocks background data usage and signals apps to use less data in the foreground wherever possible.
Apps will now be able to monitor users allowing them to make changes to how the apps use consume data in the foreground and the background.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joined in December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.