Tech and search engine giant Google has revealed a sneak peek of the latest Android operating system, the Android P. This was done for developers to prepare their apps for all the new updates, even when we don’t know what the P stands for yet. Android P won’t be compatibly ready for smartphones till later in the year, except for Pixel owners. But before then, these are some of the things you need to know about the new Android P.
6 Things to Know About Google’s Android P
Indoor Positioning
With the new operating system, Apps will be able to know how far you are from the WiFi access point you are connected to. This will enable Google to use that information to give you a more accurate location indoors. Just as Google Maps has become great on the streets, you now get more indoor positioning details as well. Well, this will really be of great benefit for those that love staying indoors. Now, you can also get turn-by-turn directions while you are inside just like Google Maps.
Improved Notifications
Notifications will be improved on the new Android P, all messages from a messenger app will now be visible in the notification. Including image attachments and stickers, making them pop up with full contents, instead of “someone sent an attachment, click to view”. Images and stickers are appearing in the notification on Android P. You can now see the full content of a message and reply without viewing it. However, this might take a sizable amount of the notifications tab.
Privacy
The Android P comes with lots of improved security and advanced privacy options. There’s now a new restriction system to stop apps from gaining access to pieces of information when idle or not in use. Any apps looking for information when idle will get absolutely nothing, according to Google. Almost all apps will now have access to the fingerprint scanner on Android P. Allowing users to easily use the popular feature to access almost all of their apps.
Multi-Camera Support
With the Huawei P20 Pro coming with three rear cameras, this was long overdue. Lots of Android phones now have dual rear or dual selfie camera as well, and on the Android P, these cameras will be able to work simultaneously. This also means smartphone running on Android P will have a more powerful camera prowess, especially those with a dual rear camera.
Support For Notch
With the bezel-less hype still pretty much around, Google is obviously working tirelessly to support the notch as well. The top-notch design flooded the MWC with lots of manufacturers shrinking bezels and leaving just a notch.
Android P will support the cutout in the display with APIs to help create UI around that notch. Helping developers to create apps with cutout notches kind off. This means those top-notch areas won’t be “screen” anymore on Android P.
You Can’t Use It Yet
Well, bummer, right? But that’s the truth, it’s an unstable version of the new operating system still in its “testing” periods. Except you are a developer creating a new app but don’t try installing on your main Pixel phone though. The new operating system should be fully available before the end of the year for developers.
Conclusion
These are the 6 things you need to know about Android P. If you are using any of Google’s Pixel smartphones, you can see how to install the Android P preview here.
