The first Android N developer preview was launched today by Google which is available for download from developer.android.com/preview. The company will also be debuting the Android Beta Program later today. This program lets you get early Android builds through over-their-air updates on Nexus devices. Google had earlier unveiled the next Android version. It released the accompanying developer preview at its I/O developer conference. This year the I/O 2016 is scheduled for May 18 to May 20.
The preview of Android N developer will include an updated SDK with system images that would test on Nexus 5X,Nexus Player, Nexus 6,Nexus 6P and Pixel C devices apart from the official Android emulator. In order to encourage developers, Google would be throwing a $150 discount on the Pixel C.The APIs and features that today’s preview will include are as follows:-
Multi-window —It allows users to use split-screen modes on phones and tablets and also specifies minimum allowable dimensions. A mode called picture-in-picture mode has been provided for devices like TVs or playing videos within apps.
Direct reply notifications — The RemoteInput notification API was originally added to Android Wear but now works on phones and tablets as well. This enables user to reply to incoming message notifications by staying on the notification shade.
Bundled notifications — It enables group notifications from the same app together. On using two-finger gesture or tapping the new expansion button, the Grouped notifications can be expanded into individual notifications.
Efficiency — When in stationary mode, doze in Marshmallow reduces battery life usage. Battery is also saved whenever the screen turns off.
Project Svelte — In order to run on a much broader range of devices, Google is still working to reduce the memory needs of Android.
Improved Java 8 language support — Many popular Java 8 language features are allowed to be used by Android’s Jack compiler.
