Google has just released its next dessert: Android O is available as a preview version for developers and more.
We don't know much about the new version of Android, as development is still in its very early stages, but it looks like we'll see a number of customization changes. Here are some of them:
- Picture-in-picture mode, which will allow you to watch videos while using other applications.
- A wide range of color options to help developers better utilize mobile displays. Color options include AdobeRGB, Pro Photo RGB, DCI-P3, and more.
- Snooze notifications so they can appear again at a later time.
- Adaptive icons that can change shapes depending on the device (circle and square, for example).
- Visual effects support for Android animations.
- Apps will be able to pin shortcuts for specific actions. For example, an icon that directly leads to a specific task can be pinned to your home screen.
The full list of changes is available here.
Unlike last year, when Google launched the Android Beta program, the company will not be making Android O available to the general public initially (the public beta will be released in May or June).
If you want to install it, however, you'll need to flash it manually. You'll also need to be using one of the few supported devices, which are the Nexus 5x, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Pixel, and Pixel XL.
The public beta as mentioned above is expected to arrive in May, and the final version of O in the third quarter of the year (most likely with the next release of Pixel devices).
In the meantime, if you're knowledgeable or daring enough you can download the preview version of Android O from Google's developer page.
