Android N Developer Preview: 5 New Features of the Google OS

Improved features and a new look interface are expected to be part of Android N’s profile.

The next Android flavour will be announced at the Google I/O 2016. (Photo: The Quint)

Google is all set to announce the latest Android flavour for smartphones and tablets. The new version, Android N, will make its debut at the Google I/O in a couple of months. What’s interesting to note is that Google has taken a cue from Microsoft with its own Developer Preview program.

The Android N preview is available to users with Nexus phones: Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P.

<b><a href="http://android-developers.blogspot.in/2016/03/first-preview-of-android-n-developer.html">Android Blog</a></b>

Here’s what you can expect from the new Android N version:

Multi-Screen Viewing

Multi-screen support coming to Android phones natively this year. (Photo: Android)

Android N adds support for displaying more than one app at the same time. On handheld devices, two apps can run side-by-side or one-above-the-other in split-screen mode.

On TV devices, apps can use picture-in-picture mode to continue video playback while users are using another app. Samsung has been offering this feature for quite some time now and Android users will be getting their version in 2016.

Quick Notification Reply

Reply to messages within the notification screen of your phone. (Android)

This feature allows users to quickly respond from the notification shade without visiting your app. Users can expand each of the notifications, and perform actions such as reply and dismiss on each of the notifications, individually from the notification shade.

Data Saver

The data saver option on Android N will let you prioritise apps and save data. (Photo: Android)

In the N Developer Preview, users can enable Data Saver on a device-wide basis in order to use less data, while roaming, near the end of the billing cycle, or on a small prepaid data pack.

When a user enables Data Saver in Settings and the device is on a metred network, the system blocks background data usage and signals apps to use less data in the foreground wherever possible. Users can also whitelist specific apps to allow background metred data usage. This feature was first seen on Xiaomi’s MiUi software interface.

Watch Pinned Videos

Watch videos that are pinned and still browse other apps. (Photo: Android)

Android TV users can now watch a video in a pinned window in a corner of the screen when navigating within apps. Picture-in-picture (PIP) mode lets apps run a video activity in the pinned window while another activity continues in the background.

The PIP window lets users multitask while using your app, which helps users be more productive.

TV Recording

Android N is set to offer a host of new features in 2016. (Photo: Android)

TV input services let the user pause and resume channel playback via time-shifting. Android N expands on time-shifting by letting the user save multiple recorded sessions. Users can schedule recordings in advance, or start a recording as they watch a programme. Once the system has saved a recording, the user can browse, manage, and play back the recording using the system TV app.