A Work-In-Progress from the prolific Google stable has seen early release for developers with current Nexus devices in an effort to incorporate developer feedback into the final product. Usually, new versions of Android are released at the I/O Developers conference (scheduled for May this year). Android is the power behind 80% of the world’s phones & Tablets.
“We’re doing something a little different this year by releasing the preview early… really early,” Google Vice-president of engineering Dave Burke said in a blog post. “By releasing a ‘work in progress’ build earlier in development, we have more time to incorporate developer feedback.” The final product should be ready by the summer.
Developers can update to Android N Developer Preview directly over the air.
Announcing the release, Burke outlined the key features of the Android N:
- The multi window feature allows you to split screen modes on your phones & Tablets
- You get ‘Direct Reply’ notifications means you reply directly without leaving your notification bar
- Your battery is turned off when you screen is switched off
- Java 8 language features are added to the new Android N
- Switching between apps gets quicker with this platform & the new zoomslider will let you magnify or decrease icons, fonts etc
Many of these features, say observers, are variations of the Apple mobile software platform.
There’s some lively chatter about what the ‘N’ in Android N will stand for. Generally, Google names its OS upgrades after sweet stuff. You know, Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop & Marshmallow. The current favourite guess Online seems to be ‘Nutella’.
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