Everything you need to know about Android O

Philipp Rüegg

22.3.2017

Translation: machine translated

Google has released the very first version of the new Android O mobile operating system. At this early stage, it is primarily aimed at developers. Of course, we still wanted to know what's inside.

It will still be a while before Android O appears on your devices. Many of you are probably still waiting for Android Nougat. The first preview version of Android O has been available for developers and adventurous users since Tuesday. You can see what the Developer Preview of the new Android 8 has in store here.

Note: A lot can still change before the final version is released and it is not certain until the very end which functions will remain and which will be cancelled. And what manufacturers such as Samsung and Huawei will subsequently do with Google's stock version is another topic.

More information in the notification centre

If you pull down the drop-down menu, you will now get a little more information. However, the fact that Wifi and mobile communications are displayed twice seems a little redundant.

If you pull the menu down a little further, you will find even more changes. The shortcut icons are separated from the text by a fine line and you now have to click on the text if you want to access the advanced settings. No longer as before with a short click.

More control over notifications

If you find notifications from apps annoying, you can switch them off. You now have more options for fine-tuning. Developers can create categories so that the user only receives certain notifications from the app. On Twitter, for example, only retweets could appear. This would standardise control at system level.

Navigation bar

A new settings menu has been added to the navigation bar. These are the three soft buttons at the bottom of the display. You can use them to change the icons and add a fourth shortcut.

Shortcuts on the lockscreen

A feature that I used to love on my HTCs, but somehow never really needed, is coming to Android O as a light version: shortcuts on the lockscreen. Or rather, custom shortcuts. With Android N, you previously had the option of launching the Google Assistant and the camera directly from the lockscreen. Now you can decide for yourself which shortcuts go there.

Revised settings menu

The settings menu has already been revised with Android N. Now it looks even tidier. It has been significantly shortened and the menu that can be pulled out from the left has also disappeared. I thought it was a bit superfluous anyway.

Themes

What has long been commonplace with other manufacturers could finally be part of stock Android: Themes. The "Device Theme" item can now be found under the display settings. There is only Inverted and Pixel, but that can still get better. The automatically customisable icons also blow the same horn. Developers now have the option of automatically adapting the shape of icons - primarily those on the home screen - to different conditions.

Notification counter for apps

What has long been standard on the iPhone is now officially making its way to the stock Android version: counters. The opt-in feature will be available to all apps in future. This allows you to see how many new tweets you have received or how many news items are waiting for you on Facebook. Directly as a number on the app icon. Something that has long been possible with alternative launchers for Android.

Please do not disturb becomes more customised

You can already set on your mobile if you don't want to be bothered by notifications for a certain time. You can now set this individually for individual apps in steps of 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour.

Autofill for all

Who doesn't get annoyed when you always have to enter the same information in different text fields? That's why Google is supporting a new interface (API) for autofill. It can be used to store information such as names, addresses or passwords.

Better battery management

By limiting background processes, Google is once again trying to improve battery consumption. The aim is for the system to automatically reduce the background activities of apps without restricting the user.

New handling of APK files

If you want to install apps that are not available in the Play Store for whatever reason, download the corresponding APK file. To install these, you previously had to activate the "Unknown sources" option in the settings. Android O handles this a little differently. The option has been removed and instead the download source must now be approved as a trusted app. So if you download APKs via Chrome, you must give the browser the appropriate authorisation.

Image in image for videos

You've had the picture-in-picture option on Android TVs, as you know it from practically every TV, for a while now. It should also be nothing new for Galaxy users. Now the option is officially available for Android O, allowing you to watch a video while browsing digitec at the same time, for example.

AptX Bluetooth

AptX is a codec that enables better sound quality when transmitting music via Bluetooth. Various smartphones already support the standard. It is now officially supported by Android O, together with AptX HD and LDAC.

NAN support for Wifi

NAN, not to be confused with the delicious Naan, stands for "Neighbour Awareness Networking" and offers the possibility of connecting two devices with each other without the use of access points, GPS and the like. Without any configuration, two devices can communicate with each other and transfer data at high speed.

The Developer Preview is available for these devices

• Nexus 5X
• Nexus 6P
• Nexus Player
• Pixel C
• Pixel
• Pixel XL

When is the beta coming?

Probably with the next version of the Developer Preview. You can then register for the beta as usual by clicking on the corresponding page and the automatic update will follow. You currently still have to install the preview manually.

How do I install the preview?

First download the corresponding image for your device from this page. Then install the Android SDK on your computer so that you can flash the file to your device. However, you will lose all your existing data and the version is explicitly aimed at developers. The preview is not recommended for everyday use. You can find more detailed instructions here.

When is the final release?

According to Google's schedule, the final version will be released in the third quarter of 2017.

If you are looking for more information about the new functions in Android O, I recommend the tech blog Androidpolice.

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

Being the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur. more