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Google Launches First Android P Developer Preview (venturebeat.com)

Google today launched the first Android P developer preview, available for download now at developer.android.com. From a report: The preview includes an updated SDK with system images for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and the official Android Emulator. Unlike last year, there is no emulator for testing Android Wear on Android P.

[...] Today's preview includes the following new APIs and features (but you can expect much more; this is just the first preview, after all): Display cutout support; HDR VP9 Video, HEIF image compression, and Media APIs; HEIF (heic) images encoding has been added to the platform; multi-camera API; ImageDecoder for bitmaps and drawables; Improved messaging notifications; Data cost sensitivity in JobScheduler; indoor positioning with Wi-Fi RTT: Platform support for the IEEE 802.11mc WiFi protocol -- also known as WiFi Round-Trip-Time (RTT) -- lets you take advantage of indoor positioning in your apps.
Other features and their descriptions are listed here.

42 comments

  1. Wonder if it has a Yellow theme by HumanWiki · · Score: 3, Funny

    and if the follow up will be Android PP

    1. Re:Wonder if it has a Yellow theme by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Android PP - code name Golden Shower - Trump edition.

  2. P E O N by bobstreo · · Score: 1

    Maybe P will fix the problems with O and N. If it's ever released for any of my devices that are more than 1 year old.

    1. Re:P E O N by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      My device is over a year old now.
      It shipped with M, got upgraded to N, and while I haven't done it yet, O is available for it now.

    2. Re:P E O N by freeze128 · · Score: 1

      Rearrange the letters to get your answer: N O P E

  3. Sigh... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    *closes browser*

  4. P is for Popsicle? by crow · · Score: 1

    Have they said what the code name will be yet? I would think Popsicle would be the obvious choice.

    1. Re:P is for Popsicle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I would have thought pie would be the obvious choice. Or pecan pie if they wanted something longer.

    2. Re:P is for Popsicle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Penis. Delicious, tasty penis.

      captcha: chubby

    3. Re:P is for Popsicle? by msauve · · Score: 1

      ...or Pie, or Pudding (picture the lawn statue for that one), or Praline, or Parfait, or ...

      What makes Popsicle such an "obvious choice," especially considering it's a trademark? If they want to deal with getting trademark permissions (as they've done on some past occasions), then Pez, or Pixy-stix, or Pop Rocks, or ...

      --
      "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    4. Re:P is for Popsicle? by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      What makes Popsicle such an "obvious choice," especially considering it's a trademark? If they want to deal with getting trademark permissions (as they've done on some past occasions), then Pez, or Pixy-stix, or Pop Rocks, or ...

      Obviously they have no issue with it, since they used Oreo.

    5. Re:P is for Popsicle? by msauve · · Score: 1

      ...they also used Kit-Kat. Both names with few (non-trademarked and widely recognized) choices. Your point?

      --
      "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    6. Re:P is for Popsicle? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      It could be peppermint. Or possibly powdered donuts. Or pistachio ice cream. Or pickled herrings.

    7. Re:P is for Popsicle? by SeaFox · · Score: 1

      ...they also used Kit-Kat. Both names with few (non-trademarked and widely recognized) choices. Your point?

      "Popsicle" is really one of the first things that (pardon the pun) pops into people's heads when looking for a dessert or confection that starts with "P". While the term may be owned by someone, it's one of those words that has come to describe a common noun (like Kleenex for any facial tissue). "Pop-Rocks" is a bit dated from being linked to a specific period of time, and "Pez" isn't as popular. "Pixy-Stix" has some chance here, but note that that last couple major Android versions (7.0 and 8.0) have shipped in late August, which is the hottest part of summer in most of the U.S.

      What better way to cool off this summer, than with an ice cold Popsicle, eh?

  5. Oh for the day. by jellomizer · · Score: 1

    Where Apps can be downloaded and Rendered on the fly, using some sort of interpreted language, that is platform independent, with open specifications.
    Where development can happen on any PC, and testing is primary about testing it on the given screen sizes.

    --
    If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
  6. Nexus 6P??? No??? Damn! by CRB9000 · · Score: 1

    I'd love to try this out on my Nexus 6P (Fi), but looks like I may have to test it on my wife's Pixel. Which means I risk the Wrath of the Woman if I brick it.

    1. Re:Nexus 6P??? No??? Damn! by tlhIngan · · Score: 1

      Well, according to Google, November 2017 was the last date for guaranteed Android version updates for the Nexus 6P. Security updates are guaranteed to November 2018. Support (phone and online) is guaranteed until November 2018 also.

      Note that Google may, at their leisure offer updates beyond that, but there are no guarantees.

      (The support dates are under "When you'll get Android updates")

      Good news is that Pixel phones and before are only guaranteed for 2 years of Android updates and 3 for security, Pixel 2 phones are 3 years each.

    2. Re:Nexus 6P??? No??? Damn! by Teckla · · Score: 1

      Good news is that Pixel phones and before are only guaranteed for 2 years of Android updates and 3 for security, Pixel 2 phones are 3 years each.

      2 and 3 years from the date the phone was first made available for sale, right? Not from the date you purchased it.

      What a joke...

    3. Re:Nexus 6P??? No??? Damn! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Google can't both:
      - complain about android fragmentation
      - stop 2 years after first sale (+- 18 months after purchase in practice)

  7. When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by bogaboga · · Score: 1

    It saddens me that Android, with its very advanced features, still doesn't have a straight forward way of letting users schedule an alarm for a future date as an inbuilt capability by default. This is a killer feature for me. I know I am not alone.

    1. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wouldn't this be something you could use a calendar app for? With notifications turned on?

    2. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      He said a straightforward way.

    3. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by darkain · · Score: 1

      "reminder" seems to be a fairly straightforward command that can either be typed or said.

    4. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by AuMatar · · Score: 1

      Programatically? Use a JobScheduler and its trivial. At a user level? That's what a calendar app is for. You have your choice of several dozen. There's no reason to have to have an app especially for that built in, download it if you want it.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
    5. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      ”OK Google set an alarm in 15 minutes" seems to work pretty well

    6. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by dmitrygr · · Score: 1

      There is a way to do it as long as it is 7 days away, but it is rather roundabout. go to clock app. Set alarm for proper time. click "yes" for "repeat". Deselect all days except target day done

      --
      -------
      1. Enjoy your job
      2. Make lots of money
      3. Work within the law

      Choose any two.
    7. Re:When will I be able to schedule a future alarm? by msauve · · Score: 1

      The suggestion given below is easier and more flexible.

      "OK Google. Set a reminder for July 4th, 2076 named tricentennial."

      --
      "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  8. P-ussy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Trump approves. New android motto. Grab 'em by the Pussy.

    Nothing at all wrong with that. Americans overwhelming agree. Elected a man president knowing this. Hail TRUMP!

  9. Comparing Google vs Apple styles by ScooterComputer · · Score: 2

    I'm a huge Apple fan, have been all my computing life. But I think it instructional for developers (and consumers and fans!) to compare Google's communication style regarding new operating system features and Apple's, cough cough, "communication" style. Google is clear, outlines what features they've added and want to add, and their intent on development track. Apple... well...you get WWDC, and they show stuff, and they'll talk about some stuff, maybe. And maybe what they show and talk about ships, but good luck on getting more information about what is going on if it doesn't ship when planned. And even after that, don't plan on getting adequate, clear documentation; the best resource is the developer forums or Stack Exchange where you will get more (empirical) info from other developers than you do from Apple.

    This is NOT how I thought things would go. [Luke was right. (Tell your sister, he was right.)]

    Apple users, consumers, developers: we shouldn't stand for it. There –is– a better way. And Google shows it. Apple can pay lip service to the "evil" of Google, but at the end of the dev cycle, that's really all it is. And Apple can utter profundities about secrecy and the delight of surprise, but honestly it's all just nonsense after the "reveal". Apple...Tim Cook...up your game... it is beyond time to stop acting like it is 1997, or 2007.

    --
    Scott
    "Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."
    1. Re:Comparing Google vs Apple styles by DigitAl56K · · Score: 1

      None of this matters. Google can document their new features to their heart's content. The Android update model ensures that the vast majority of people won't have these features on their phones for years.

  10. Apple docs are really good by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    And even after that, don't plan on getting adequate, clear documentation

    I'm not sure what your complaint about the Apple documentation is exactly but it's really good. The one area I think Apple could do better with is sample projects, which they do not always have for new or updated frameworks.

    Also the WWDC sessions do a really good job of presenting how new features work and how you are supposed to develop for them.

    It's true Apple is not necessarily as clear about where they are going, but they are very good at preparing you for new things beforehand by strongly suggesting you adopt certain technologies or tools...

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  11. Android P is on the way by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

    And Motorola still hasn't finished their rollout of Android O to Moto X4's

    1. Re:Android P is on the way by swillden · · Score: 1

      And Motorola still hasn't finished their rollout of Android O to Moto X4's

      To be fair, Oreo is tough. It's a massive change in how the system and vendor layers interact, which a huge pile of new requirements. This is all to the good in the long run, since the change should make future upgrades dramatically easier. But Oreo is hard for OEMs.

      I'm interested to see how the P rollout goes. It will be the first test of Oreo's Project Treble.

      --
      Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
    2. Re:Android P is on the way by viperidaenz · · Score: 1

      Since they started late last year, they've stopped security updates for Android N.
      Mines back on August 1 patch level.

  12. We had that, and demanded it be dropped by SuperKendall · · Score: 1

    Where Apps can be downloaded and Rendered on the fly, using some sort of interpreted language, that is platform independent, with open specifications.
    Where development can happen on any PC, and testing is primary about testing it on the given screen sizes.

    Congratulations, you just described web development.

    You know, the way apps worked on the iPhone at launch, before the public SDK came out?

    Never was there such a loud clamor to move to native development... the problem is that developers will always be better able to make use of raw hardware than any abstraction people build for it. Heck, as it is even native development is ALREADY gated in a number of ways where you do not truly program "on the metal".

    The closest thing to what you describe are probably the popular gaming engines.

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:We had that, and demanded it be dropped by AuMatar · · Score: 1

      More than that- if you support N platforms on one code base, you're limited to the lowest common denominator of the three code bases.

      And even when you try it like web programming, you end up with N variants or compatibility libraries everywhere to fix bugs/implementation differences/lagging support.

      --
      I still have more fans than freaks. WTF is wrong with you people?
  13. A new batch of phones turning obsolete by ntropia · · Score: 1

    Never owned an Apple device, and yet, I found myself envying anyone with an iThing, right now. Excellent phones like the Nexus 5/6x series (disclaimer: which I own) are going to be dropped by the new OS. Why? Probably, because they lack the newest AI chip to process buzzword at unprecedented speed. In the end, it really sucks to have only two choices: either being owned by the big, flaming Eye of Sauron that all sees, or being locked in the Golden Orchard.

  14. the clock! by maeda · · Score: 1

    The clock has moved from the far right to the far left people! ..and, colorful settings icons, awesomeness

  15. You know what ELSE everybody likes? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Parfait.
    Have you ever met a person, you say, "Let's get some parfait,"
    they say, "Hell no, I don't like no parfait."? Parfaits are delicious!
    Parfaits may be the most delicious thing on the whole damn planet!

  16. Google, can we AT LEAST have loadable kernel modul by Miamicanes · · Score: 1

    Google's decision to not support Nexus devices with an OTA update is semi-understandable, but it would be really nice of them to AT LEAST continue with kernels, compatible binary kernel modules built for proprietary peripherals in Nexus devices, and updates to Google's own apps (esp. Play Services & Play store) for another 3 years. Why? Because they're the only ones who CAN make new binaries for Nexus devices. Qualcomm lets THEM have access to source & reference drivers the rest of us will never be allowed to touch directly.

    In other words, after the end of formal support, there should bs an additional 3 year period where they do what only THEY ALONE can, so we can do the rest ourselves (vis-a-vis AOSP).

    (background: Unlike Windows, Linux makes NO effort to maintain binary driver compatibility between kernels. If you have the source, it's easy to just recompile old drivers for the new Kernel. If you DON'T have the source, you're fucked. Recompiling isn't necessarily HARD... often, it can be mostly automated. But Google has the source... we don't, and never will. So only THEY can do this for us.)

  17. Google's worst nightmare by Miamicanes · · Score: 1

    A guerrilla war by angry Nexus owners to associate "P" with "Poop" (and alternate mascot featuring the Android logo with a poop-emoji hat) as revenge for force-obsoleting still-fairly-new hardware by breaking kernel binary drivers without an official solution.

    A few hundred developers doing it in every related blog & forum post they make, and within days Google searches will either be suggesting "Android Poop", or Google will have to tamper with search results to suppress it & risk bad press when they're caught.

    Think it can't work? Google "Santorum".

    Never underestimate the kind of guerrilla negative public relations campaign developers can do. "Regular" people might sigh & move on. Developers will latch on & become OBSESSED with it for months. Hopefully, Google's management knows this AND how easily it could neutralize that anger simply by informally releasing new kernel binaries for Nexus devices.

  18. Re: When will I be able to schedule a future alarm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Assuming my oneplus 3t has the standard Android alarm, I add a new alarm, choose the time, tap okay, tap the 3 dots that are on the line below the alarm time, on the right of the word "repeat" and can then select all days on the popup calendar where I want the alarm to sound at that time.
    Perhaps that isn't straightforward enough for you, but I have trouble to imagine a simpler way, especially considering that setting alarms is generally an alarm clock or watch function, where the choice of weekday is the logical priority.

    Or maybe oneplus has done something great here. Would surprise me, they've not done much of anything special in terms of software that I know of...

    aRTee