Android 8.0 has had the longest beta period of any previous Android release. Google launched the developer preview earlier in the year than usual, giving it more time to iron out lingering bugs. The company’s now ready to start publicly rolling Oreo out to existing Android phones.
The operating system comes with several new features intended to make the platform “smarter, faster and more powerful.” These include updated emoji designs, a faster boot up time, support for autofill inside of apps and new adaptive home screen icons.
More significantly, Google’s added picture-in-picture mode for a more seamless multitasking experience. You can keep watching a video or talking on a call while browsing the web, checking email or playing a game. It expands on the split-screen multitasking view introduced with Android Nougat last year.
Google’s also adding a new notification format for apps. Notification “dots” appear on an app’s icon on your home screen, alerting you to new content or recent activity. If you get a message or are mentioned on social media, the app’s icon will get a dot to let you know. You can then long press on the icon to see the full notification text.
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Besides the surface changes, Google has made the usual round of internal enhancements to improve Android’s basic performance. The company claims Android 8.0 should be faster, more secure and less battery intensive than its predecessors, improving your phone’s responsiveness and its longevity. In some cases, boot-up speed is twice as fast as Android Nougat. According to Google, Oreo is a “superhero” for your smartphone.
“Today we are officially introducing Android 8.0 Oreo, the latest release of the platform – and it’s smarter, faster and more powerful than ever,” said Google. “Plus, it’s got stronger security protections and speed improvements that keep you safe and moving at lightspeed. When you’re on your next adventure, Android Oreo is the superhero to have by your side (or in your pocket!).”
Android Oreo has been submitted to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), marking its official release. The OS is now entering the carrier testing stage before its deployment to Google Pixel and Nexus phones “soon.” Google said that devices from brands including Essential, HMD, HTC, LG, Samsung and Sony will all be upgraded to Android 8.0 by the end of the year.
As with any Android release, the vast majority of phones will go for months without the update though. Only a small proportion of devices will ever receive it, owing to the fragmented nature of the Android ecosystem. Recent phones from well-known manufacturers should be eligible but older models are unlikely to taste Oreo.
