Android M (or Android 6.0 Marshmallow) has been available for only five months, but Google is already thinking about its next operating system. On Wednesday, the tech powerhouse released a developer preview of the still unnamed Android N.
The release is Google’s earliest software preview to date, and Google Senior Vice President for Android Hiroshi Lockheimer said in a blog post on Medium that the final release software should be available sometime this summer.
Google also announced a new Android Beta Program, which allows users easier access to preview software, with wireless rollouts. Users can preview the software on several Nexus handsets, including the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Android One, Nexus Player, Nexus 9 and Pixel C. Google is also offering a deal for developers: $150 off the Pixel C tablet, to promote downloading and testing of the new software for tablets.
Highlighted features on the Android N preview include Java 8 support, multi-window, direct reply notifications, bundled notifications and enhancements to Doze mode. Check out more details about the features below.
While Google is not giving up the name of Android N just yet, there have been hints that the 2016 tasty treat may be savory instead of sweet. Lockheimer recently sent out a tweet about Nori (you know, the seaweed wrap for sushi). Elsewhere, in reference to the Android N name, he wrote in a blog post, “We’re nut tellin’ you yet.”
Android N Preview: Feature Highlights
Multi-Window allows users to split their screen to have more than one application running and visible at a time. Users know this feature from manufacturers like Samsung and will be happy to see it on Android.
On Android N, users will also be able to send replies from directly from notifications for any application. Users know this feature from the messenger application, which simplifies addressing text messages. In Android N, any application that involves communication will be able to use the feature.
Other notification improvements will bundle notifications from the same application to together in one panel, instead of having every notification be separate. Users will see their Facebook notifications in one list instead of an individual tiles for each prompt, for example. They will have the option to respond each notification separately or to address them at once.
