Android is one of the most popular platforms in the world and as such, a number of apps are available on this platform that are highly useful and have also attracted millions of users.
Google has provided several updates to their app stores over the past few years, which is exciting for new developers who can now enjoy some advanced features. Here we’ve highlighted the most important things Google has changed so far and how you can use them with your applications. Let’s dive into each feature we mentioned and explain why it’s important for your application.
Google Discover: This features gives developers another opportunity to explore the different categories and subcategories that the apps have. If you want to be more creative and find your niche, we recommend this. You’ll see how much better it is to discover all the possibilities when compared to just exploring the category or selecting a certain set of categories. Besides, if you have an idea of what type of user could be your target audience and do research, using this feature can help you develop a fantastic application and make it stand out from other similar applications. By integrating discover into your application, you will see higher engagement rates.
The developer preview update was one of the most significant changes in Android since it introduces a lot of enhancements. These changes show how versatile the framework truly is and how easy it becomes for developers to build great applications. Apart from that, there’s no need for additional data security. The latest version of Android allows apps to support up to 20x more storage than other mobile devices. It brings improvements to security and UI by including a host of new resources to access information, reduce security risks, support secure messaging platforms like WhatsApp, and integrate content recommendations.
The new widgets: A widget is any visual element that pops onto an interface allowing users to interact with your application. There are two types of widgets: Material and Layout widgets (Android 5.0 and above). In material widgets (up to 25x), we find basic elements such as icons, fonts and buttons, while layout widgets allow developers to create complex images, animations, objects, animations and drawings. We have summarized some of these features below.
Custom home screens: Apps that use custom home screens can provide access to additional services and functions through widgets which are easily customized by developers. For example, you may add Google Analytics and AdMob and provide access to ad-supported services. Furthermore, users can change which service they want to use based on where they are located, how many people they meet, how frequently they visit a site etc. Custom home screens can help developers to create unique experiences for his/her application.
GPS tracking: With GPS tracking, you can monitor location using a device that runs a third party app like Google Maps. One can set up a tracker for multiple phones and track the location history of nearby devices. Developers can access additional features like tracking heart rate, sleep patterns and body temperature. When implemented correctly, GPS tracking can improve your ability to deliver enhanced mobile experience and reduce risks of a battery shortage.
The Quick Settings API: Using the quick settings feature, developers can customize the user flow and access various features under the hood. They can change the default user interface style, check accessibility features and manage notifications as well. All of these features are powered by the best User Agent Framework in Java. As of Android 7.1, the Quick Settings API provides developers with powerful capabilities, and a variety of new features for delivering enhanced experiences at apps. The quick settings interface offers designers great productivity and helps them work faster.
Google Pay: Google Pay enables users to pay products using their Google Accounts. This makes it easy for companies to offer coupons and free gifts to its customers. Also, when a customer adds the Google wallet to an account, he/she can use the same.
Google Duo Meetings: Google Duo Meeting lets users join other Users on a single screen by creating a meeting in Google Duo meetings and adding friends. People can invite others using SMS and Web widgets and ask questions. Also, Google Duo allows developers to develop their own games and chatbots.
Android Things: Android Things provides a full view of the entire application stack with all the basic components and applications. It serves the needs of every company and every individual who owns an application or website. The list of applications developed using Android Things includes:
Google Now TV: Developed using Android Studio, Google Now television allows us to set schedule notifications on the go and receive notifications at specific time. Moreover, it can also send broadcast notifications to millions of phones connected to the network. Another cool feature is that the application can automatically start at sunset. An application created using Android Things is called Smart Home – an app that supports a range of smart home technologies.
Developed using Android Studio, Gboard: Thanks to android studio, we can now write native code on our smartphones so we can program and run enterprise apps through android studio. Mobile development experts are able to create enterprise-grade apps with greater power.
Thanks to android studio, we can now write native code on our smartphones so we can program and run enterprise apps through android studio. Mobile development experts are able to create enterprise-grade apps with greater power. Voice search: Last year, voice search entered the mainstream and gained popularity. Through it, we can say a voice command to enter passwords, perform searches as well as find emails and calls. However, Google announced last month that they are working to increase accuracy and speed of voice searches and also provide a new option for those searching using voice.
Last year, voice search entered the mainstream and gained popularity. Through it, we can say a voice command to enter passwords, perform searches as well as find emails and calls. However, Google announced last month that they are working to increase accuracy and speed of voice searches and also provide a new option for those searching using voice. Search with voice: Most of us use the old and clunky search functionality. But in 2020, we expect the search function to take the form of voice search. And we just might get to witness this feature making our lives more easier.
Most of us use the old and clunky search functionality. But in 2020, we expect the search function to take the form of voice search. And we just might get to witness this feature making our lives more easier. Instant messages: Some of us would not like to receive notification at regular intervals. That’s because it requires manual action and effort on our part. After all, we don’t want to interrupt conversations through texts. Fortunately, today, Android gives us instant messaging platforms, which enable us to send notifications at regular intervals, without the requirement of manual action. The latest versions of Android 7.1 (API level 8) provides instant messaging with robust functions, including the following features:
Dynamic Messaging: New features of Chatfunnels enable us to share audio files and videos via webhooks. So, you can listen, post or reply to new message. The text-to-speech option can make your voice search less demanding.
New features of Chatfunnels enable us to share audio files and videos via webhooks. So, you can listen, post or reply to new message. The text-to-speech option can make your voice search less demanding. Social media sharing: In 2019, social media was a growing area. Since then, we have seen huge growth in the usage of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. And Google has also released a dedicated app called Facebook Messenger. Nowadays, more and more mobile apps are available in the market featuring sophisticated features and options that include everything from texting to video calling. Thus, whether you want to exchange photos or listen to music with other users, you can try using Facebook Messenger.
In 2019, social media was a growing area. Since then, we have seen huge growth in the usage of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter. And Google has also released a dedicated app called Facebook Messenger. Nowadays, more and more mobile apps are available in the market featuring sophisticated features and options that include everything from texting to video calling. Thus, whether you want to exchange photos or listen to music with other users, you can try using Facebook Messenger.
In summary, Android offers a whole array of cool tools for building amazing user interfaces. From basic widgets to dynamic communication between mobile phones, we have offered the complete list of what’s changed in Android from last few years. Although we are sure many features remain unchanged, we also know that these changes are likely to make mobile apps even more interesting and more effective and entertaining. Do visit the links we listed to learn more about Android’s recent innovations. We wish you good luck!