I/O 2016: Google launches Android N beta with speed boosts, VR hooks & iOS-drawn improvements
At the beginning of its I/O developer conference on Wednesday, Google revealed that the next major version of Android -- codenamed "Android N" -- is launching in beta later today, and will introduce features like better performance, improved multitasking, and even virtual reality support when it officially arrives in late summer.
Image Credit: The Verge
One of the key aspects of the update is the integration of Vulkan, a faster cross-platform graphics API. Google has also made Android's compiler up to 75 percent quicker, and reduced the amount of space required for app installs.
Borrowing from iOS, users will be able to quick-reply to messages from notifications. Likewise Android is getting support for split-screen and picture-in-picture multitasking, something present on iPads since Septemer's iOS 9. Android users can, however, take advantage of split-screen on both phones and tablets, and picture-in-picture on Android TV.
Another multitasking improvement is a streamlined app switcher, limited to the last seven apps used, with a "Clear All" button for quickly closing every open app.
Android N will also include a dedicated VR Mode as part of a broader hardware and software initiative called Daydream. The first Daydream-compatible phones should launch in the fall, and will have screens, sensors, and other components tailored to VR. Part of the goal is to minimize latency, since instant response is important for immersion and avoiding motion sickness.
A special Daydream homescreen will in fact let people launch apps and content, including VR versions of YouTube, Street View, the Play Store, Play Movies, and Photos. Some initial third-party content providers will include Netflix, HBO, IMAX, the New York Times and others.
Daydream-ready phones will have to be paired with a compatible headset and controller, for which there is only a reference design at the moment.
Image Credit: Android Authority
Unusually, Google said it hasn't settled on a final name for Android N, and will be taking submissions on what the "N" should ultimately stand for, though Google is reserving the right of final selection.
Image Credit: The Verge
One of the key aspects of the update is the integration of Vulkan, a faster cross-platform graphics API. Google has also made Android's compiler up to 75 percent quicker, and reduced the amount of space required for app installs.
Borrowing from iOS, users will be able to quick-reply to messages from notifications. Likewise Android is getting support for split-screen and picture-in-picture multitasking, something present on iPads since Septemer's iOS 9. Android users can, however, take advantage of split-screen on both phones and tablets, and picture-in-picture on Android TV.
Another multitasking improvement is a streamlined app switcher, limited to the last seven apps used, with a "Clear All" button for quickly closing every open app.
Android N will also include a dedicated VR Mode as part of a broader hardware and software initiative called Daydream. The first Daydream-compatible phones should launch in the fall, and will have screens, sensors, and other components tailored to VR. Part of the goal is to minimize latency, since instant response is important for immersion and avoiding motion sickness.
A special Daydream homescreen will in fact let people launch apps and content, including VR versions of YouTube, Street View, the Play Store, Play Movies, and Photos. Some initial third-party content providers will include Netflix, HBO, IMAX, the New York Times and others.
Daydream-ready phones will have to be paired with a compatible headset and controller, for which there is only a reference design at the moment.
Image Credit: Android Authority
Unusually, Google said it hasn't settled on a final name for Android N, and will be taking submissions on what the "N" should ultimately stand for, though Google is reserving the right of final selection.
Comments
VR
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I haven't seen any recent charts, but the majority of Android users are still probably on an ancient version of Android that was released a long, long time ago.
Trust me they'll be the first to get it right(or Nintendo).
It's a snoozefest every year and they showcase last years iOS software.
I still think Apple dropped the ball when they abandoned Vulkan for Metal.
Google Home is long overdue and most Googlers have wondered why it took Google this long to develop. So far it looks very, very similar to Echo so in that sense it was kind of a snooze. I do like how it integrates with Chromecast and Chromecast audio.
Android Wear Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Google Daydream - Kind of cool, but i'm more interesting in VR experiences from Occulus that use real GPUs and not weak mobile chips.
Android N - Great update, but everything they talked about I've already played with on the beta on my Nexus 6P. Nothing new there.
Why would you say that? We've had metal since the 5S and it's backed by all the major 3D engines. It's taken way too long for Vulkan to come to fruition.
It has taken longer to be released than Metal, but it's much more than Metal. Metal is essentially a low level mobile API with equivalent feature support to OpenGL ES 3.1.
Vulkan 1.0 launched a few months ago, and in that time, nVidia, AMD, Intel, Qualcomm and Imagination Technologies have all launched drivers. We've seen demonstrations of Unreal Engine on mobile hardware and support announced for a number of other engines. Doom, a brand new title on PC (and consoles), already has Vulkan support.