A Closer Look at Android's New Mobile OS 'O' and Android Studio 3.0

Recently I had a chance to look closer at Android's new mobile OS 'O' and Android Studio 3.0.

Let me share with you the most interesting things I’ve encountered:

- Android Architecture Components

Now we have a new collection of libraries to create reliable and maintainable apps. Here you can find detailed info as well as classes about managing your UI component lifecycle and handling data persistence.

https://developer.android.com/topic/libraries/architecture/index.html

https://medium.com/proandroiddev/android-architecture-components-cb1ea88d3835

- Picture in Picture feature

Like Android TV, Android O will deliver full support for picture-in-picture mode. It allows you to keep videos and other types of content running in a small window while you use other apps.

https://developer.android.com/preview/api-overview.html#opip

- Notification Badges

Android O will now feature a functionality for showing notification badges over app icons in supported launchers.

https://developer.android.com/preview/features/notification-badges.html

- Faster boot times

Good news! You won't have to upgrade your device to speed up boot times. All phones that run Android O will have faster boot times.

Moreover, the benefits go beyond the faster OS loading, apps can run faster and smoother too.

- New emoji

If you never liked old Android's emoji style, you'll find one more advantage in the new operating system - rounder face icons for Google O.

- Firebase Performance Monitoring

Everything you ever wanted to know about the performance characteristics of your iOS and Android apps

https://firebase.google.com/docs/perf-mon/

- Device File Explorer

Total control of your files on a device with the Device File Explorer available after Android Studio 3.0.  In addition to viewing, copying, and deleting files, you can transfer files between devices.

https://developer.android.com/studio/debug/device-file-explorer.html

- Restricted background activities

De-prioritizeing app functions, which run in the background, significantly increases battery life in comparison to Android Nougat.

- Android Profiler in Android Studio 3.0

in Android Studio 3.0, instead of the Android Monitor tools, we'll now have the Android Profiler window. It will show real time data for your app's CPU, memory, network activity, and much more. See details at Android Studio.

https://developer.android.com/studio/preview/features/android-profiler.html

Conclusion:

Android O should be available for consumers in autumn 2017. From what we can see so far Android OS is making steps towards improvement day by day and currently it will be more comfortable both for ordinary consumers and developers to use, control, and enjoy!