UPDATED 19:09 EDT / AUGUST 21 2017

INFRA

Android Oreo rolls out with speed improvements and better multitasking

Google Inc. finally confirmed today that the latest version of its Android mobile operating system is called Android Oreo, and the new OS is already rolling out to Nexus and Pixel phones.

Android Oreo boasts a number of improvements over its predecessors, some of which are more exciting than others. One of the most talked about changes for the new Android Oreo is the claim that it is “2x faster” than the previous version, but this claim comes with a couple of asterisks attached to it.

First, the new speed primarily refers to boot time when an Android device is first powering up, which is not necessarily a frequent occurrence for most users. Second, the 2x speed refers to tests that were done on Google’s Pixel smartphones, which means that other devices may or may not see the same dramatic improvement.

In addition to the boost to startup speed, Android Oreo has a few other features aimed at streamlining performance and making the OS feels faster and more responsive. For example, Android Oreo introduces new limits that reduce the amount of background resources taken up by apps that users access less often, which frees up memory for the apps they do use. This feature also limits the number of times background apps can access location data, which reduces both data and battery use.

Perhaps one of the more interesting features hitting Android Oreo is picture-in-picture, which allows users to keep a small thumbnail view of an app on their screen while interacting with other apps. With this feature, users can write an email or play a game while using video chat or watching a movie on the side. Other Android versions have supported split screen multitasking in the past, but picture-in-picture offers a less intrusive way to keep an app open while doing other things. The size and placement of the picture-in-picture can also be adjusted in the system settings.

Android Oreo also introduces a few simple quality of life improvements, including a new autofill feature that allows users to store their login information for different apps, making it easier to access apps like Facebook or Twitter after a reboot. Google also added some new accessibility options that make it easier for users with disabilities to change their settings or adjust their volume.

While there are plenty of improvements for the end user, Android Oreo also has a number of under-the-hood changes with developers in mind, including a native C/C++ API for high-performance audio, a linkable file application programming interface that allows files to be shared as web links, downloadable fonts that reduce the size of app downloads, and more.

You can view a full list of Android 8.0’s new features on the official Android website.

Image: Google

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