Android P (still unnamed) was broadly spoken about at Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O 2018, on Tuesday and we know a lot more about the upcoming Android version now.
Most importantly, developers and geeks will be thrilled to know that the Android P beta version is already rolling out to a slew of devices, including the Pixel series.
Google wants Android to finally offer native gesture support, some useful notification tweaks and take care of your digital wellbeing as well. Here’s everything you would want to know about Android P and its features.
Swipe Up, Volume Controls Now Smarter
We’ve tried to summarise what Android P will offer over here:
It’s funny that Google thinks people will rave about basic features like auto brightness and adaptive battery features, just because they use the words machine learning and AI with it.
Gesture support for navigation has been around for a while now (BlackBerry actually bought it first) and the iPhone X was the next-big and probably the industry-trending device to take it mainstream. Swipe up to see recent apps is also Google’s way of telling phone makers that enough with the bezels at the bottom, ditch it for more screen space (fair enough).
Google’s enhanced focus on how the phone’s volume rocker ensures media levels are lowered (and not the ringtone or calling volume) is a welcome move. Google is also making sure that you don’t have to scroll from the top to rotate the screen. You’ll see a small icon at the bottom right that’ll let you do that now.
Which Phones Get Android P Beta?
Google announced that 11 phones, including the Pixel and Pixel 2 series are getting the Android P beta version right away. Here are the others getting it.
- Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 Xl
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Sony Xperia XZ 2
- Oppo R15 Pro
- Vivo X21
- Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
- OnePlus 6
- Essential Phone
Regular users are not advised to download the beta version, even if you have any of these devices mentioned above. The beta versions are usually unstable and could end up playing havoc with your phone as some apps may not be compatible with it.
Android P Will Make You a Couch Potato
Smart features are cool but the amount of work they end taking away from you can be hazardous to health. After all, phones are meant to reduce your workload of typing, searching or even saying things now.
With the App Actions, Android P will surely end up turning you into a couch potato (if you aren’t one yet). This feature, as demonstrated at the keynote is able to predict which apps you’d want to open, mostly by tracking your behaviour.
One of the examples shown at the session was, how by plugging a headphone, the phone was able to open up the music app for you, and even play the music where you had left off. Android P will make that happen for now. Doesn’t matter if you like it or not.
Google Cares About Your Wellbeing
Believe it or not. Google actively showed interest in your wellbeing. The word was repeatedly used throughout the two hour keynote and it was refreshing to see. For this, Google also has a product called Dashboard, which will come to Android P, and trickle down to previous versions in the coming months.
With this feature, users will be able to track how much time they have spent watching videos on YouTube, playing games or using any particular app. You can even set a screen-off time, to make sure the phone reminds you about taking a break.
Most of these features are rolling out with Android P beta but what the heck, Google? We’ll have to wait till October to know what the P stands for, not cool.
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