If you are an Android phone user, you're up for an OS update. Google has just launched the first developer preview of its latest flavour -Android O.
At the moment, the newest version of the Android Operating System is only available for a developer preview, There are four preview versions planned to be released, with the first available from yesterday, March 21. The Android O preview can be used and tried by developers on Google's Nexus 5x,6P and Pixel phones and Pixel C tablet, and will be made available to the public later.
Android O is expected to officially launch its retail version in the third quarter of 2017 by Google, with other manufacturers likely to port it to phones by December 2017, following the practice of previous launches of Android OS.
Here are some of the much-awaited features of the new OS, according to the android o developers preview site:
1. Picture-in-picture mode: one can run two apps parallelly without having to pause content in one window to continue with content in another window.
2. New notifications system: The new system called notification channels will be grouped together by the notification type, besides grouping by app.
3. Battery life improvements: With newer runtimes and improved API's, this is said to bring about better battery life from the products.
4. Adaptive icons: The appearance and visual appeal of the icons that change and adapt.
5. Faster web browsing and more: With features like Autofill API and various webkit optimisation, it is likely to bring in a faster web experience.