The release builds on features introduced in last month's version, like multi-window and bundled notifications.
Heads up, Android developers: Google on Wednesday released the second iteration of its Android N Developer Preview.
This version fixes a number of bugs developers helped Google identify in the first version, released last month, including a problem that prevented people from being able to connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks, as well as others that caused pauses and crashes, meaning fewer glitches overall. The second developer preview also builds upon some features introduced in last month's version, like multi-window and bundled notifications, and adds some new ones.
For starters, there's a new 3D rendering API called Vulkan, which is "geared at providing explicit, low-overhead GPU control to developers," Dave Burke, VP of Android engineering at Google, wrote in a blog post. It promises to offer "a significant boost in performance for draw-call heavy applications." Vulkan is part of the Android N platform, meaning you can try it out on supported devices running Developer Preview 2.
The new Developer Preview also brings support for Emoji Unicode 9, launcher shortcuts, and API changes.
As for those new launcher shortcuts, they can help users perform actions within an app right away, like sending a message to a best friend, navigating home in a mapping app, or playing the next episode of a show in a TV app, Burke wrote.The new emoji design "moves away from our generic look in favor of a more human-looking design," Burke wrote. The update also introduces skin tone variations and new glyphs like bacon, selfie, and face palm. Keyboard and messaging app developers can and should start incorporating these emojis into their apps right away.
Developers can get this and future preview updates by enrolling their devices in the Android Beta Program. If you've already enrolled your device, the update is on its way and should arrive "shortly." The N Developer Preview is available for Nexus 6, Nexus 5X $379.00 at Google Store, Nexus 6P $499.00 at Amazon, Nexus 9, and Pixel C $596.40 at Amazon devices, as well as Android One devices.
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