Three weeks after announcing the second preview of the Android O operating system at its I/O developers conference, Google Inc. has launched Developer Preview 3 with final application programming interfaces.

While the wait continues for the official name of the latest Android OS, Google has confirmed that the upcoming Android version will be version 8.0. There will be one more beta released next month with a consumer release planned for later in the summer. Those already enrolled in the Android Beta Program will receive an update notification on a compatible Pixel or Nexus device. Alternatively, there’s a signup process here for the Android Beta Program.

Here’s a look at the updates discovered so far in Developer Preview 3, including the final API level and several user interface changes:

API level 26

Android O Developer Preview 3 is particularly important as it features the final (level 26) APIs for the OS. This finalization means that things won’t change for developers between now and the consumer release. Developers can start publishing their apps targeting Android O to the Play Store on alpha, beta, and production channels.

Color-coded media notifications

Google has made its media notifications prettier in Android O Developer Preview 3.

When there was media art in a notification in previous versions of Android, the image was displayed in full. In Android O Developer Preview 3, for notifications with media controls, the color of the notification will change based on the album art with the color fading over the top of the artwork.

The new color-coded notifications will display for music apps such as Google Play Music, Spotify and YouTube Music, in addition to apps that allow videos to be played in the background like Chrome and YouTube Red.

Permanent notification for background apps

In Developer Preview 3, Google has introduced a constant notification that will alert users to any apps running in the background. The notification will list the number of apps together with the name of the apps.

The notification can’t be swiped away, but is displayed at the bottom of the notification list and is minimized by default. Tap on the notification to see a list of the apps together with a shortcut link to each app’s information page. Here you will be able to force stop the application, check battery usage, etc.

Google has also added a constant notification for any app that is overlaying the screen. Time will tell whether these types of constant notifications will be in the final Android O release by default or whether it will be a feature that users can enable.

Google Camera

Google have tweaked its Camera app slightly and added buttons to the left and right of the shutter so users can switch between camera and video modes. The button to switch between the front and rear camera has also changed slightly in the latest preview.

Battery animation

When you visit the Battery page in Settings on the latest preview, there is a new animated battery indicator that will fill up from zero percent to the current level.

Rearranged icons

After changing the order of the Wi-Fi and cellular signal icons in Developer Preview 2 to the horror of beta testers, Google has opted to move the icons back to their original positions in the status bar with the latest preview.

Additional updates

Additional updates that have been discovered in Android O Developer Preview 3 includes an updated Clock app with a new icon and black background; and a new icon shape in the form of a teardrop, in addition to the existing square, rounded square and squircle shapes.

The snooze option for media notifications has been removed, but reappears when playback is paused. The Pixel Launcher now includes a shortcut to settings for Notification Dots – tap it and you will be able to enable or disable the feature.

Google has also removed several customizations from the “experimental features” available in the System UI Tuner. Customization of the Navigation bar, Lockscreen and Picture-in-Picture mode has been removed while customization of the Status Bar and “Do no disturb” mode remain.

Image: Google