Google Releases Android N Preview To Developers: New Features And Everything You Need To Know

By Kamal Nayan - 09 Mar '16 22:47PM
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Google recently released its Android N developer preview to public after the images got leaked. Personal technology site, Ars Technica had recently published a detailed article explaining new features that were to arrive on Android N, but soon it was taken down.

One of the top new features in the upcoming version of Android is updated notification pane, along with cosmetic changes to notification cards. 

"We're doing something a little different this year by releasing the preview early... really early. By releasing a "work in progress" build earlier in development, we have more time to incorporate developer feedback. Also, the earlier preview allows us to hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever," said Dave Burke, Google's VP of Android Engineering.

Reportedly, Google has moved from using Apache Harmony for its Java foundation to Oracle's OpenJDK, which will allow programmers to use Java 8 features.

Among other features of the Android N would have Multi-Windows, Call-screening and number blocking, Data Saver, Direct reply to notifications and improved battery efficiency. Google has also worked on improving the memory efficiency by implementing JobScheduler, that would handle the background tasks.

At the time of reporting, Android N Developer Preview edition is available for the Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Pixel C Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and the General Mobile 4G, an Android One phone. 2013 Nexus 7 tablet, will not be getting Android N.

The Google N Preview is expected to be live on g.co/androidbeta

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