Android N Review here are the first known features

Android N Review here are the first known features

As is the tradition, each year sees a new version of Android deployed by Google. In 2016 it was the turn of the grind 'N' made its debut on the front of the stage, which establishes a size polishing which undermines the inaccuracy to joust with perfection. Although it is not new, we decided to take this zero item into a reference section that will identify all the known new Android N.

Remember: as I mentioned at the entrance of the article, keep in mind that the list presented following change with time. Why? Although the Android version N has been formalized two months before Google I / O 2016 (unlike last year where the Developer Preview of Android M was unveiled and made available on the sidelines of the event), the Californian giant wants to move out in 2016 and that, hoping to get a stable version of Android N for summer 2016. Following this, Google confirms availability 'in the wake' for brands wishing to adopt and fit their product (s) (s). Thus, the first non-Nexus to be launched on the market with Android N could well see the day before the New Year holidays, so it's a little before. I'll come back to this below. Anyway, keep in mind that the new can be altered in the final beta version of Android N.

Everything you need to know about Android N (Developer Preview)

Android N: all about availability 5 months of waiting, a final version in the summer of 2016

Although the version of Android N has been formalized, it is important not to confuse it with the final version. First, you must already know that we are facing an unfinished beta version of the system will require a minimum of 5 months of testing to hope to reach a point of stability for the fifth Developer Preview of Android N, which is announced for summer. For now, no date 'precise' output has been communicated since the N Android version is still in development, but it is now open to the community. Thus, it takes at least 5 months before the deployment of the final version of the first mobile compatible.

Download Android beta N Nexus

In addition to already available to developers and other hackers via the Android SDK, it is also found that some Google Nexus are too. Indeed, Google has proposed no less than 7 system images in stride that may already be flashed on its Nexus 6. To quote them, so there we find them: 5X Nexus, Nexus 6, 6P Nexus, Nexus 9 (Wi-Fi and LTE versions), and Google Nexus Player Pixel C.

Note: if a product in the list has a 4G LTE variant, know that it is compatible.

If you are already a little geek, you might be happy to know that even though it is a bit hidden, the Android version N may indeed be downloaded by anyone. To do this, you can: you go on the official Android Developer Preview N ', but also sign up for the beta test that enables the automatic updates

For those who choose the first link, know that you will not be able to enjoy the updates sent by OTA (Over-The-Air), where those who go through the beta program will be directly.

But where are the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 (2013)?

Marketed in November 2013 Nexus 5 could enter the circle of elders, although it still requires official confirmation from Google. After falling nose-to-nose with sources of Nexus 5 'hammerhead'; which is other than the international version of the product available everywhere, we want to believe in the next release of Android Developer Preview N for this particular model, but it could come later. Indeed, Google would have experienced compatibility issues. As it is, we do not know the decision of the piece, while the deployment appears to have been canceled or postponed temporarily, perhaps for the Developer Preview 2. For the curious among you can even those famous sources available on the Google site Git. As for the Nexus 7 (2013), guess what, it's the same thing and that, for the WiFi model (flo) and the WiFi + 4G LTE (deb).

When will updates for non-Nexus?

As I mentioned in the first paragraph of the subsection "5 months of waiting, a final version for summer 2016", Google hopes to get a point of stability in summer 2016 and that, to make the source code available from brands and other integrators to that date. However, this does not mean that your mobile will be directly upgraded since it will have to wait for these brands and integrators the test before offering it in products. Generally, it takes between six weeks and almost a year to get an update on a non-Nexus device, but the deal could accelerate in 2016, remains to be seen whether the others will follow.

Android N: the first new recorded

In this section, you can find the first known major innovations around Android N.

The status / notification bar wins in ergonomics

Among the biggest news of Android, I wanted to lead the way with the new status bar / notification sported the Android version N, and as you say it is rather innovative and very flexible to use. In the image of Android Marshmallow, it is always possible to open the two-way notification bar; using a finger to preview or two fingers to unfold completely, except now they are five icons that dominate the head, next to the time, date and a down arrow indicating the status bar can be folded.

To unfold, so you can help this directional arrow or click on any location to place the status bar. To return to the five foundations icons at the top of the status bar, it is not obliged to always keep the same as the status bar - which are displayed the quick settings - can now be changed at will and, in changing the order of items you want are / see, besides being able to add and / or remove. For this, simply click on the 'Edit', which is now displayed in the Android status bar N. Hence, the action of a single long press quick setting of the bar state leads directly to its dedicated menu. By performing a long press on the mechanical wheel of the status bar (which leads to system settings) you can unlock even more with the System Tuner UI menu.

Dedicated to improving the system notifications

Unfolding the status bar, it often falls nose to nose with its notifications and Google wanted to improve the interaction we have with them. Now, notifications no longer have a fine separation that erases the gap between them, but also a better interaction through fast action. Where some applications disappear once swept to the right, persistent notifications now let appear a mechanical wheel that provides the option to enable notifications. Note that pressing and persistent warning also leads to this option, the same long support that works for non-persistent notifications.

The system parameters are smarter

What to say about the Android system settings, except that they are now truly smarter! For those who are missed, the Android version N introduces new ideas that merely improve the current situation. So, I discovered that each particular section that leads directly to a displayed item now persistent annotation. To cite some examples, WiFi now indicates the network which it occupies, the consumption data shows the number of mobile data consumed, the volume information noise level as a percentage (%) or the Memory menu indicates the memory amount.

In addition to the research that is always available, system parameters now have the ability to display suggestions, such as counselor to set a lock screen and wallpaper to the user. Although the component that is dedicated to these boards be persistent, you can delete the recommendations by scanning using vertical dots placed to the right. To put the icing on the cake, the developers finally decided to bring the side drawer in the system settings. When the user browses in a sub-section, it can now appeal to the left side drawer to teleport easily into sections.

Final integration of the 'Multi-window' in 'Recent Applications'

Expected by many, the mode Multi-window 'now takes its seat as a native feature of Android N! To use it, it is rather easy since the function is already proposed in the menu dedicated to the 'Recent Applications', except that it is not necessarily indicated. Rather simple, how to use it is very simple and does not request to activate a particular option. For that, just click on the square of the latest applications. This option will work on all devices with Android installed and N, either on mobile or tablets.

When Android N is placed in this menu, it is sufficient to perform a long press on the desired window to move to the top of the screen. This action, half a window is created with the selected application, while the other part remains under the governance of the menu dedicated to the latest applications. In addition to providing an option to resize the space occupied by the two sides of the screen, the use of multi-window mode is especially advisable in landscape mode as it wants clearer. To return to normal, simply place your finger on the dividing line to push the top of the screen. This simple action, the pre selected application disappears.

The dormant function 'Doze is now more lucid

With Marshmallow, the device does not necessarily mode 'Doze', especially when it is not in the pocket. With the release of Android Developer Preview N, Google has also made it more intelligent power saving mode, which allows him to activate at any time after the mobile screen is turned off and, whether or not moving. In addition to this, the function now has better control of the different elements of the mobile. Great news that is detailed in this post written by Google elsewhere.

The return of the night mode for everyone!

Although it has not yet been a final integration with Android N, the night mode is indeed back and now finds its foundation in the menu 'System UI Tuner', then 'Color and Appearance '. By discovering this menu, we can see that Google does not content himself with a single latch, but has developed a suite of convenient options. By activating the main latch, the night mode will be active at all times, where the second option allows sitting in second position to activate depending on the position and time of day. As for other options, they are used to activate the dark theme, but also to adjust the color and brightness of the screen.

The application optimization is faster startup

After you install an update or change an element of the system, generally, the Android mobile OS takes some time to reorganize the whole, and it goes through application optimization is done at startup.

Seeing that she was taking a pretty crazy time and some energy consumption, Google has worked to optimize its virtual machine ART. Now, so there will be no need to wait until this screen because the system will be launched automatically as the reorganization of applications now takes the form of a notification in the status bar does more blocking the cellphone. When not optimized, application will show slowdowns, but will still be usable. As for the new installed, they will also show slowdowns in their first launch, but will become stable after the optimization done by the system.

Ability to change the size of the interface and the font

'Font size', 'Display Size' or 'Gesture expansion', know that all these options are now in the parameters dedicated to accessibility and, for four levels of settings that reduce or grow writing and / or interface to the whim of the user. Rather useful to visually impaired or those who find that the native Android interface is too empty on the big screen. Even native functions size!

Integration of the 'Play mono' for the hearing impaired, including

If you are deaf in one ear, an option, sitting in audio settings, now lets you configure the sound output in mono, not forcing more deaf to the stereo while it their useless. There are not the only news. In a future update of the article, we will talk more minor, but which we consider as important. In the meantime, I leave you hand in the comments.