The 4 biggest new features to Android N

As expected, Google I/O 2016 saw an announcement for the next smartphone OS, Android N. Aside from a little tweaking to improve performance and battery life, Android N also brings new life to the OS in the form of a few new features.

Improved graphics and app management

On the developer side Android N introduces a new JIT compiler, that enables apps to install and run faster. Google says apps should install around 75 percent faster, and will use up 50 percent less memory on your phone. Additionally, there’s a new 3D rendering  API, Vulkan, that lets game developers deliver higher performance graphics on smartphones, and with minimal stutter.

Multitasking and expression

Android N brings two new multitasking features to the platform, Split View and Picture-in-picture. Split view is available for phones and tablets, letting users run two apps side by side or one above the other in a splitscreen mode. Users can even resize the windows by dragging the divider separating them.

For Android TV devices is Picture-in-picture allowing you to run an app in a smaller window, within an app occupying the full screen. So, next time you’re watching a show that’s too scary for you, you can open up a smaller window with kittens on screen, to help calm your nerves.



In addition, there are a couple of changes to the recent apps window as well. Google says it’s statistics show users usually only swap to an app from among the last seven they opened, and they’re optimising Android N to take that into account. Now, apps above that limit will automatically close, although that may not necessarily be a good thing. What’s definitely a good thing though, is that window now has a Clear All button, to quickly shut every app.

And let’s not forget, there are now 72 new emoji for your spamming pleasure. This includes representation for women in various professions, as well as such meme gems as “Left Shark”.

Virtual Reality mode

One of the biggest announcements of the night was for Android N’s new VR mode, Daydream. It’s an optimised platform for games, entertainment, and photos while using a VR headset. Some changes to that include a new virtual version of the Play Store, VR optimisation for both YouTube and Google Photos, and even support for content delivery services like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO.

One last thing…..

Of course, it wouldn’t be a tech conference without a surprise or two. Google presented something it says it’s been working on recently, called Android Instant Apps. What that is, is a new in-development feature that lets users access app-restricted content through temporary access. Allow me to explain with Google’s example from the demo. Say someone sends you a link to a video within the Buzzfeed Video or 9gag app. Now, you could manually search for that on the respective website but, if you want to just click the link and watch, until now, that would take you to the app’s page in the Play Store. What Android Instant Apps instead does is fetch only the required components for you to view that content. Click on the link, and within five seconds, you should be watching the video within that app, all without actually having to install it. The best part is that this also works for shopping apps, even ones that use Android Pay. Click on the link, make your purchase, and exit, and you still don’t have to have the app on your phone.

Of course, actually launching this feature requires a lot of work from Google, as well as cooperation from app developers. Apps need to be built in sectionable slices that Android can fetch and use. What’s really cool though, is that the on-stage demo was done with a phone running KitKat! So, it might take a while to show up for Android, but at least you won’t necessarily have to be running the latest version to use it.