Bored Of Android Oreo? Here Are 5 Features In Android P That You Should Look Out For

Android P will extend navigation support to indoor locations where GPS usually can't reach

By: Shweta Ganjoo |
March 8, 2018 7:16 pm

Google just dropped the first developer preview of its upcoming operating system– Android P. Version 9.0 of Google’s mobile OS will be rolled out sometime in the third quarter of 2018. However, ahead of its commercial launch, the developer preview gives us interesting insights into the features that the OS will pack.

Though the newest member of the Android family–Android P (Pie, Pumpkin Pie, Pancake, Peanut Butter, or Popsicle?) is a little rough around the edges, it has plenty of features to keep us occupied. Over the next few months, Google will add a host of new features (and retaining some old features) to Android P. Before the commercial launch, which typically happens in the month of August, the company will also open its platform to public testing.

Based on what we know so far, here are five features that you should look out for in Android P:

1) Indoor Navigation
The indoor navigation system in Android devices can be a bit tricky. Often Android devices fail to show the accurate location indoors. Google is trying to tackle this problem in Android P by adding support for IEEE 802.11mc WiFi protocol, which is also known as WiFi Round-Trip-Time (RTT).

To put it in simple words, Android P will be able to point out your location within 1 to 2 metres. According to Google, the new technology will not only allow accurate indoor navigation but also add more context to location-based voice control eg: ‘Turn on this light’.

2) Improved notifications
Google has simplified conversation for participants in a chat. Android P builds on Android Oreo and adds a layer of minimalism to its platform. In Android P, messages will be separated from each other using a faint line and the images within a chat will feature rounded edges. Apart from this, users will be able to block ‘entire groups of channels within the notification settings for an app’.

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3) Multi-camera support
Android P packs a sweet surprise for all those who love to click photos using their smartphones. According to Google, with Android P, users will not only be able to use innovative features such as seamless zoom, bokeh, and stereo vision, but they will also be able to fuse camera streams from two or more cameras.

4) Colourful Settings Menu
Google seems to be obsessed with the settings menu as it keeps on changing it in every version of its operating system. As it goes, Android P will feature a more colourful settings menu with rounded icons. While there are no major stylistic changes, the new OS will feature rounded and colourful icons.

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5) Screenshot button
One useful feature coming to Android P is the screenshot button. The tech giant has added a screenshot button along with the power on/off and restart buttons. This means that you can conveniently stop using bizarre tricks to take screenshots. All you need to do is press the power button and tap on the ‘screenshot’ icon.