Android P is the next version of Android and Google is set to release a preview for developers this month. The Android P preview will be associated with the changes which will affect the developers and not intended for consumer use. Since the focus is on the developers, it is recommended that you do not install the Android P on your main Smartphone. In 2018 Android P will be launched as Android 9.0, but the name will be announced only in summer.
The most important feature of Android P is the built-in support for simulating a notch into the display at the top of the screen. The developers have the opportunity to test how the full screen apps will function with notches with the tools Google will be releasing.
The Android 9.0 will have a new look for the Quick Settings panel and the Notification bar which will have rounded corners. The notifications from the messaging apps too will have a new look. Recent lines from your conversation will appear and you can reply inside the notification itself. In addition to this, the apps will be able to include “Smart replies”, probably provided by Google, images, stickers in the notification itself.
The Android 9.0 will have a new look with a colourful Settings menu. The settings icon for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc will be inside circles which will be coloured when in use and will turn gray when switched off.
New Features in Android P
Android P will prevent suspicious apps running in the background from accessing your microphone and camera and restrict access to all SensorManager sensors from apps that are not being used. Any of the background apps that are idle will not be able to access the microphone.
It will provide built-in support for more video and image codecs, including the HDR VP9 Profile 2 and HEIF.
There will be the multi-camera API, whereby an Android app can get info from more than one camera sensor at once.
With the Android 9.0 , users will be able to block numbers that have no ID or are not in the contact list.
The Android 9.0 comes with a better Autofill feature which enables the password managers to enter your password for you so that you do not have to switch apps to copy and again switch apps and paste.
However, what we can expect from Android 9.0 is that Google will remove access to unofficial APIs which are not part of the official SDK which may not go down well with some developers.
When can we expect to get the Android P?
Android P will be released in August 2018, but will not be available to all Android devices. At the outset, The new Android update will be available to Google Pixel devices and at the IFA 2018 show in September; the new phones will come with Android P.
Nokia has confirmed Android P updates for all the 2017 phones and in late 2018 or early 2019, Samsung, LG, Sony and HTC will roll out Android P.
