Computing Magazine

Android 8.1 Features That You Should Know

Posted on the 30 May 2019 by Savita Singh @Compgeekblog

Coupon Code (Click to Copy & Open Site)

Google has enrolled the Android 8.1 but only or the beta testing to showcase the upcoming Android features. The only thing that I hate about the Pixel line of Google is that these smartphones always teases with the latest Stock Android updates that I can't have. According to the search giant, the upcoming Android update will give users more efficient and interactive features. However, the public release of the Android 8.1 is expected to hit the market somewhere in December. Right now, the Android 8.1 developer preview is available only for the beta testers and supported devices are Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel C, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL.

Before you get your hands on the upcoming version of the platform have a look on the eminent features of Android 8.1

Android 8.1 Features

Things To Know Before Buying Refurbished LaptopTop 10 Headphones Under Rs 800Review Of Data Recovery SoftwareReview of Kernel for Exchange Server Recovery

Android 8.1 Features That You Should Know

1. Automatic Light and Dark Theme

If you're an Android user then you must know that you need to switch the theme from light to dark or vice versa to get along with the wallpaper. But, this new feature will automatically manage the theme on your phone according to the wallpaper. If you're using a light wallpaper then it will set a light theme and will automatically switch to dark if you change the wallpaper to something dark.

2. Shows Battery Level Of Bluetooth connected devices

The Android 8.1 is all about ease and accessibility to the users, this feature is the best example of that. With this update, the Android user can see the battery level of the devices connected via Bluetooth to the device. The battery status of the Bluetooth devices such as headphones and speakers can be easily seen in the quick setting panel beside the Bluetooth sign.

Read More - Stellar Data Recovery & Its Benefits

3. Redesigned Power Menu

With the all-new Android 8.1, the power menu is also changed by the company with a neat and simplified design. Once you long press the power button there will be a card format option coming out from the edge of the screen. The "Power Off" and the "Restart" button now will be available next to your fingers and you don't need to fumble your fingers to shutdown or restart the device.

4. Search Setting Option

Along with a few designing tweaks, Google has also revamped the settings app of the platform. With PIxel 2, the company added a search option in the settings app to ease in finding the settings option to the users. With the search option, the settings app looks more managed and easy to access any minor or major setting. Along with this, some of the settings options are also rearranged in the app's options list.

5. Oreo Easter Egg is Different

There is no updated version of Android from the company without a new easter egg for the users. With 8.1 you will be getting a new easter egg including the Oreo in it which company added after users got disappointed with the Android 8.0 launch after not finding the Oreo in it. By tapping the Android version in settings seven times you will see an Oreo with bugdroid embedded in it.

6. Only One Notification Per Second For the Apps

According to the documentation of the Android 8.1 developer preview made available by Google, the applications are allowed to make only one notification per second. To understand this consider the situation when you reconnect your phone to the internet and all the pending notification starts popping into the phone. Isn't it really annoying? With the Android 8.1, the apps are allowed to give only one notification tone per second irrespective of the number of notifications from the app.

Read More - Recover Corrupt, Deleted or Formatted Kingston Pen Drive Data

7. Quick Settings Panel Gone Transparent

The quick setting panel also receives some of the minor tweaks which makes it more interactive. Google gave the quick setting panel a translucent look which reflects the Pixel 2 system design and the functionality and works system-wide. Along with this, the user icon also has been removed from the panel which means you need to navigate to the settings app to switch between the users.

However, there some also some tweaks including the option to remove "apps using battery" option and "WiFi on during sleep" but these are the most eminent features and changes in the Android 8.1. Google may apply furthermore changes to the version prior to the public launch of Android 8.1.

Shared memory API

Android 8.1 (API level 27) introduces a new SharedMemory API. This class allows you to create, map, and manage an anonymous SharedMemory instance. You set the memory protection on a SharedMemory object for reading and/or writing, and, since the SharedMemory object is Parcelable, you can easily pass it to another process through AIDL.

The SharedMemory API interoperates with the ASharedMemory facility in the NDK. ASharedMemory gives access to a file descriptor, which can then be mapped to read and write. It's a great way to share large amounts of data between apps or between multiple processes within a single app.

WallpaperColors API

Android 8.1 (API level 27) allows your live wallpaper to provide color information to the system UI. You do this by creating a WallpaperColors object from a bitmap, a drawable, or by using three manually-selected colors. You can also retrieve this color information.

To create a WallpaperColors object, do either of the following:

  • To create a WallpaperColors object by using three colors, create an instance of the WallpaperColorsclass by passing the primary, the secondary, and the tertiary color. The primary color must not be null.
  • To create a WallpaperColors object from a bitmap, call the fromBitmap() method by passing the bitmap source as parameter.
  • To create a WallpaperColors object from a drawable, call the fromDrawable() method by passing the drawable source as parameter.

To retrieve the primary, secondary, or tertiary color details from the wallpaper, call the following methods:

To notify the system about any significant color changes in your live wallpaper, call the notifyColorsChanged() method. This method triggers an onComputeColors() lifecycle event where you have an opportunity to provide a new WallpaperColors object.

To add a listener for color changes, you can call the addOnColorsChangedListener() method. You can also call the getWallpaperColors() method to retrieve the primary colors of a wallpaper.

For More information about API's kindly visit https://developer.android.com/about/versions/oreo/android-8.1

Did you like this article?

1. Please share it with your network, we'd really appreciate it!
2. Would you like to write for Computer Geek Blog?
3. Keep subscribe to us and follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more tips & ideas about new technology.

Android 8.1 Features That You Should Know

Ariana Johnson is currently working with Mobile App Daily to share her pinpoint views and observation on latest mobile app trends. She has been exploring the tech world for years and worked for many tech leading platforms earlier.


Back to Featured Articles on Logo Paperblog

Magazines