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Mobile OSs Android O: All the new features

Tig Bitties

Tig Bitties

macrumors 603
Original poster
Sep 6, 2012
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http://www.phonearena.com/news/Android-O-All-the-new-features_id92262

Android O is, sort of, here.

Google just unveiled a Developer Preview of the next version of Android, which is non-ambiguously called "Android O" and gives little to no hints (that we know of) for its future sweet name.

Back on Android O: this one seems more like an evolutionary update than a revolutionary one, and that's a good thing. Most of the fresh new features on board look like they will further evolve the user experience and make it better across all areas.
[doublepost=1490125138][/doublepost]Android O developer preview will include 4 releases, final version coming in Q3 2017
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...lude-4-releases-final-release-coming-q3-2017/


Android O feature spotlight: Home screen notification badges are now supported
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...ome-screen-notification-badges-now-supported/

Android O feature spotlight: System UI Tuner gets a new navigation bar customizer
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...-ui-tuner-gets-new-navigation-bar-customizer/

Android O Developer Preview Feature Spotlight: New background limits help save battery life
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...new-background-limits-help-save-battery-life/
 
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5

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
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That very last point is very attractive to me as an iOS user adjusting to the "quirks" of Android.

I'd also love to see Google tighten up requirements on app developers that prevent them from demanding permissions that the functions and needs of their apps don't really need. We've all seen apps like that, it's really annoying and sometimes concerning enough I won't install the app if it won't let me turn down certain permissions I'm sure it has no business asking for, given the limited task of the app. But so many developers already complain how much of a huge pain it is to develop for Android vs iOS, including my husband's friends who decided to develop exclusively for iOS. So I suppose Google doesn't want to scare off the ones who are willing to develop for Android by smacking them with more requirements.
 
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tbayrgs

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
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Aneres11 said:
Still calling Android 'Orange Soda'. :D
Click to expand...

Maybe. I think it'll be orange 'something'. My money is on orange sherbet. :D

IMG_0105.JPG
 
Z

Zoddino

macrumors regular
Jun 27, 2010
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The new autofill API might be really interesting for password management apps like last pass or 1password which would be even faster to use (and also in applications). Wish so much iOS had something like this for lazy developers that don't add a password manager button in sign in pages like Spotify and other apps do.

Also support for LDAC hi-res bluetooth and aptx is great
 
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NT1440

NT1440

macrumors Pentium
May 18, 2008
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Android's big answer to battery life....is to set up the same kinds of constraints that iOS has been using for years.

"Innovation" folks :p

I knew they'd have to get to this point eventually, there really is no alternative I can think of. It's just funny to me that Android has slowly but surely been becoming more iOS like in the areas that people have been touting as a differentiator for years.
 
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tbayrgs

tbayrgs

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Jul 5, 2009
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NT1440 said:
Android's big answer to battery life....is to set up the same kinds of constraints that iOS has been using for years.

"Innovation" folks :p

I knew they'd have to get to this point eventually, there really is no alternative I can think of. It's just funny to me that Android has slowly but surely been becoming more iOS like in the areas that people have been touting as a differentiator for years.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing watching that preview video from AC. But I'm not going to rag on Google for making such changes on Android because I see these as taking more of the rough edges off. Battery life has always been a big challenge on Android and if limiting background processes makes strides towards signficant improvements here, then great. And even with limits, I'm fairly certain there'll still be greating functionality than what's currently availabe in iOS, if one chooses.

I also like the autofill APIs--so hope 1Password takes advantage as their current mechanism on Android is kind of a PITA. And if 'wifi aware' brings functionality similar to AirDrop on iOS/MacOS, that's one less iOS feature that I use all the time and keeps me from switching back to Android.

I love seeing any of the elements of iOS that I like find there way into Android. Now if Apple could just add a bunch of the best parts of Android (just give me customization and ability to set default apps to start), we'll really be cooking.
 
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NT1440

NT1440

macrumors Pentium
May 18, 2008
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tbayrgs said:
I thought the same thing watching that preview video from AC. But I'm not going to rag on Google for making such changes on Android because I see these as taking more of the rough edges off. Battery life has always been a big challenge on Android and if limiting background processes makes strides towards signficant improvements here, then great. And even with limits, I'm fairly certain there'll still be greating functionality than what's currently availabe in iOS, if one chooses.

I also like the autofill APIs--so hope 1Password takes advantage as their current mechanism on Android is kind of a PITA. And if 'wifi aware' brings functionality similar to AirDrop on iOS/MacOS, that's one less iOS feature that I use all the time and keeps me from switching back to Android.

I love seeing any of the elements of iOS that I like find there way into Android. Now if Apple could just add a bunch of the best parts of Android (just give me customization and ability to set default apps to start), we'll really be cooking.
Click to expand...
That's what I mean, they are smart changes that benefit the average user, so I won't give Google any crap for it.

It is a funny retort to the uber-nerds who constantly harp on the superiority of Android however. :p
 
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tbayrgs

tbayrgs

macrumors 604
Jul 5, 2009
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NT1440 said:
That's what I mean, they are smart changes that benefit the average user, so I won't give Google any crap for it.

It is a funny retort to the uber-nerds who constantly harp on the superiority of Android however. :p
Click to expand...

Yup, exactly.

And apologies if my post implied I was accusing you of such bias...definitely not intended, just a general observation.
 
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NT1440

NT1440

macrumors Pentium
May 18, 2008
15,093
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tbayrgs said:
Yup, exactly.

And apologies if my post implied I was accusing you of such bias...definitely not intended, just a general observation.
Click to expand...
Nope, not at all, I was just clarifying for anyone else that may have read it that way.
 
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epicrayban

epicrayban

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Nov 7, 2014
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jamezr said:
I can't wait to try out the next beta preview....
Click to expand...

It's really these little useful features that get me excited about the new OS. For example, with nougat, the one thing I was most excited about was the double tap app switcher to hop between two apps. The "alt-tab" of android. Love that feature.
 
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v0lume4

v0lume4

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Jul 28, 2012
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Tig Bitties said:
Android O Developer Preview Feature Spotlight: New background limits help save battery life
http://www.androidpolice.com/2017/0...new-background-limits-help-save-battery-life/
Click to expand...
YYYEEEEAAAAHHHH BBBOOOIIIIIII

I couldn't contain my excitement on that one. YES.
[doublepost=1491365333][/doublepost]
epicrayban said:
It's really these little useful features that get me excited about the new OS. For example, with nougat, the one thing I was most excited about was the double tap app switcher to hop between two apps. The "alt-tab" of android. Love that feature.
Click to expand...
No doubt about it. Though it takes only one more step on the iPhone to switch apps (double tap the home button and then tap the app; two steps total), you really get used to that one second you save on Android. As you said, it's the small things!
 
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Sensamic

Sensamic

macrumors 68040
Mar 26, 2010
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I don't see nothing exciting aside from picture in picture.

It's been a while for me since I got excited for an Android update.
 
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