Google has released the developer preview of its next-gen operating system Android N earlier than expected, releasing a “work-in-progress” build.The developer preview is available on the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Nexus 9 and Pixel C devices, with Google to invite consumers to try it out as well once it gets closer to the final product.
“By releasing a ‘work-in-progress’ build earlier in development, we have more time to incorporate developer feedback,” Dave Burke, Google vice president of engineering, wrote via a blog post at the Android Developers Blog.
“Also, the earlier preview allows us to hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever. We’re looking forward to getting your feedback as you get your apps ready for N.”
Features available in the developer preview include multi-window, allowing split-screen modes on phones and tablets, displaying more than one app at the same time, running two apps side-by-side or one-above-the-other.
Direct reply notifications allow users to quickly respond to text messages or update task lists directly within the notification interface, while bundled notifications place notifications together as a single group, with the group imposing a hierarchy on the notifications.
The power-saving feature Doze, introduced in Android Marshmallow to save battery when a device is stationary, in N additionally saves battery whenever the screen turns off.
Further information can be found here.