Android P: These are all the new features of the first preview
from David Wurm 
on March 11, 2018, 12:54 pm | 🔥 popular | Write a comment
Während Android Oreo is still diligently distributed, Google is already working on Android 9.0. The first developer preview already shows some interesting functions for the future. We have compiled the new features.
The first developer version of Android P already gives deep insights into the new Android version. Particularly noticeable here: People tend to rely less on new functions and more on design changes. Here we give a rough overview of the most important innovations in Android 9.
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Pixel launcher gets a new coat of paint
At first glance, the new compressed design is noticeable. Some icons, such as the search bar, have now been moved closer together. In addition to the new microphone in the search bar, the dock has a semi-transparent background. However, the arrow has been removed as a hint for the swiping movement to call up the app drawer. The power menu in Android P can now also be found on the right-hand side next to the power button.
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- This is what the homescreen looks like in Android Nougat. (Image: Androidpolice)
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- This is what the new star screen looks like in Android P. (Image: Androidpolice)
New quick settings and status bar
The status bar with the associated settings has also changed. It is immediately noticeable that the time is now on the left. This is due to the notch support, with this, like the iPhone X, the status bar is divided in the middle. Now there seems to have been no more space for the time on the right-hand side. If you now expand the notification line, the date is displayed next to the time.
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- These are the quick settings in Android Nougat. (Image: Androidpolice)
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- In Android P, the quick settings are highlighted with a new color, for example. (Image: Androidpolice)
The quick settings are now highlighted in blue instead of black. In addition, there are no longer any pages for the icons, you now have to scroll down. This means that there is now space for 6 icons. In addition, the current battery level of the connected device is now displayed directly in the Bluetooth icon. There is also a practical innovation for the rotate button. You can now not only adjust display content automatically or only vertically, but also fix it horizontally. A little demo (click to play):
This is what the new button for rotating the display should look like under Android P. - GIF - (Image: Androidpolice)
New volume controls
The new volume control is no longer displayed horizontally below the status bar. Instead, it is now located vertically on the right-hand side, right next to the volume rocker of the smartphone. In addition, they no longer regulate the ringtone volume by default, but the media volume. Currently you can only change the media volume if a video or other content is actually being played. In addition, you can now open another small window when a device is connected.
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- The new volume control in Android P is now on the right at the height of the volume rocker. (Image: Androidpolice)
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- If a device is connected via Bluetooth, it can be disconnected directly in Android P. (Image: Androidpolice)
You can now find another button under the volume control. With this one can switch between "ringing", "vibrating" and "silent" by clicking. However, we do not currently know how this menu can be expanded and things such as call volume or alarm clock volume can be controlled directly.
Automatic replies and new notification display
Something has also changed in the way the notifications are displayed. Last month, Google presented an app called “Reply”, which suggests appropriate answers to notifications of messages. This can be selected and sent directly by clicking on the notification. How these are generated, however, is not known. Hopefully not all messages will be sent to Google for artificial intelligence to evaluate and suggest a response.
Android P should automatically suggest replies to messages in the notifications. (Image: Androidpolice)
In addition, the notification line should in future be able to display stickers and previews of images and media directly. In the future, we will probably be able to expand the previous message history directly for messenger messages. This makes it easier to know what the answer is related to.
Notch support
As already announced above, support for smartphones with notch can be found in Android P. Thus, the Google integrates the "hole" in the upper edge of the smartphone directly into the system. Apps can thus be individually adapted and displayed differently in the case of a notch. There is also now a possibility in the developer settings to simulate the notch directly. The system ensures that all notifications are correctly displayed in the status bar. The developer will then be able to optimize his apps accordingly.
This is what the simulation of the notch looks like under Android P. (Image: Androidpolice)
The simulation of the notch is really not really suitable for everyday use. More for developers who want to test their apps.
A new menu can now be found when marking texts. This is a little more compact, but shows all menu items directly. This means that it no longer has to be unfolded for further options. In addition, one orientates oneself somewhat on iOS and now shows an enlargement of the area when moving parts of the text. Very helpful for small texts.
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- The new text marker in Android P shows more buttons in a row. (Image: Androidpolice)
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- If you select a text in Android P, this area is now enlarged as in iOS. (Image: Androidpolice)
The creation of screenshots now also works in a new way. In addition to clicking the volume and power buttons, there is now a button in the smartphone's switch-off menu. This is a lot easier, especially with one-handed operation. In addition, one would like to implement a function for editing screenshots directly in the system on smartphones with stock Android.
Redesign and new features in the energy saving options
With Android 9.0, Google has once again completely revised the energy-saving menus, like when switching from Android Nougat to Oreo, and brought new features with them. Currently, Android Oreo can be at 5 or 15 Probe activated. Now the user can choose between 5 and 70 Procenter automatically activated. There is now a slider in the options for this feature.
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- This is what the energy saving mode looks like in Android 8.0 Oreo. (Image: Androidpolice)
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- This is the new settings menu of the energy saving mode in Android P. (Image: Androidpolice)
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- In the new energy-saving mode of Android P, you can adjust the activation yourself. (Image: Androidpolice)
Google has also changed the behavior when the energy saving mode is activated. While with Nougat the status bar was completely red when the option was activated, with Oreo it is now orange, it should no longer have a color. In future, you should only see a plus symbol next to the battery symbol when the energy-saving mode is activated. Probably the better choice instead of coloring the entire bar.
Android P: Release probably in August 2018
The new Android P should appear this year. According to the Google timetable, it is expected to be released in autumn 2018. Until then, some functions will still change - this is only the first developer version. The official beta test will be shortly after the Google I/O start in May 2018, the name of the operating system and all final functions will also be presented there.
The timetable for the Android 9.0 P operating system from Google. (Image: Androidpolice)
This article will of course be supplemented with further information.
