Google used its I/O conference to release the beta test version of Android P to developers.
Android P is all about using AI and machine learning to get more from a smartphone. Whether that is to extend battery life or vary performance as needed – Android P can think for itself.
Android P helps you better navigate your day
It uses ‘context’ to give you smart suggestions based on what you like to do the most.
App Action helps you get to your next task more quickly by predicting what you want to do next. Say you connect your headphones to your device; Android will surface an action to resume your favourite Spotify playlist. Actions show up throughout Android in places like the Launcher, Smart Text Selection, the Play Store, the Google Search app and the Assistant.
Slices ‘surface’ part of the app itself giving you an even deeper look into your apps. If you search for “Lyft”, you can see an interactive Slice that gives you the price and time for a trip to work. It is interactive, so you can quickly order the ride.
Developers also get access to Google’s Machine Learning Kit which handles text recognition, face detection, image labelling, camera control and more.
Android P – simpler
Android P has a special emphasis on simplicity.
- A brand new system navigation.
- Extending gestures to enable navigation right from your home screen.
- A single, clean home button
- Swipe up to see a newly designed Overview, the spot where at a glance you have full-screen previews of your recently used apps. Tap to jump back into one of them.
- Switching between apps: Smart Text Selection (which recognises the meaning of the text you’re selecting and suggests relevant actions) now works in Overview, making it easier to perform the action you want.
- redesigned Quick Settings
- A better way to take and edit screenshots
- Simplified volume controls
- An easier way to manage notifications
More control for you
- A new Dashboard shows you how you’re spending time on your device. It incudes time spent in apps, how many times you’ve unlocked your phone, and how many notifications you’ve received.
- App Timer lets you set time limits on apps. It will nudge you when you’re close to your limit and then grey out the icon to remind you of your goal.
- The new Do Not Disturb mode silences, not just the phone calls and notifications, but also all the visual interruptions that pop up on your screen.
- A new gesture. If you turn your phone over on the table, it automatically enters Do Not Disturb so you can focus on being present.
- Wind Down will switch on Night Light when it gets dark. It will turn on Do Not Disturb and fade the screen to grayscale at bedtime. All to help you remember to get to sleep at the time you want.
GadgetGuy has covered most of the additional system functionality here.
Android P will be released later in the year. Samsung’s Galaxy S10 should be among the first to have it.
