The next version of Android is still months away from release but a leaked build has revealed some of the features on the upcoming Android OS. The leaked Android Q build was reportedly created in January and the in-depth analysis of the build suggests that the upcoming Android version will include features like system-wide dark mode, more privacy controls when it comes to app permissions, a ton of new developer options and accessibility tools.
There were a few screenshots reported a week ago and now the same report has included a video that details the changes.
The leaked Android Q build that was detailed by XDA Developers is now featured in a video which shows a rundown of the upcoming features. The video reveals that in the next version of Android, users will have to dismiss the notifications by sliding them to the right while sliding notifications on the left will open options for snooze and notification buttons. The apps are also arranged differently in the permission section. The permission section has replaced the check-mark permission toggles depicting an app’s permission with a new view for each app which clearly mentions why a particular app requires those permissions in the first place. This will help users view the app permissions with ease and also choose to restrict which permission they want to allow or deny.
The other prominent feature that is supposed to come with the Android Q is the system-wide dark mode which provides an overall dark aesthetics to the system UI including launcher and notification slider.
The Android Q also brings more privacy options including the aforementioned app permission option. Google recently updated its privacy guideline, the new guideline asks developers to explain why their apps require certain permission and how those permissions will help in running of the app. Android Q will also allow users to know when an app is using your location data by checking for a separate location icon that appears on the status bar.
The leaked build also mentions a tool called ‘force desktop mode’ which will hopefully let users project their phone’s functions on a bigger monitor and use it as a computer. Android Q is also coming with a lot of developer options such as a flag for enabling a native screen recorder, a feature for choosing graphics driver listed as ‘Game Update Package Preferences’ and a flag for activating the in-built screen recorder among others. Apart from that, Android Q will also come with a redesigned iconography for various options and tweaks on the location of certain tools.
Another feature called ‘Role’, which on being tapped opens a list of controls for SMS, browser, and gallery, was also spotted in the leaked Android Q build, however, its exact function is not known yet.
In terms of accessibility, the Android Q build reveals functions like ‘time to read’ and ‘time to take action’ which will allow users to decide how long they would want a message to appear on the screen. A redesigned appearance of app installation pop-up dialogs, a ‘sensor off’ feature for disabling all sensors and new file sorting standard are some of the minor changes that might arrive with the Android Q.
However, these features have been spotted on the leaked build of Android Q, so it is safe to assume that the final version of the upcoming Android might not include all these features.
Also read:
Google Pixel’s lockscreen feature to be available on all Android phones this month
Samsung starts rolling out One UI based on Android 9 Pie for Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9