Android Guides

Top 20 new features of Android Pie (Android 9)

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new features of Android Pie (Android 9)You will enjoy many new features of Android Pie (Android 9) once your phone is updated to Android Pie, or you get a new phone shipped with Android Pie.

Although Android manufacturers may customize or cripple some of the new features of Android Pie (9) in their devices, you will still enjoy a similar Android Pie experiences.

This Android Pie guide explains the top 20 new features of Android Pie (Android 9) most users will enjoy.

What is Android Pie (Android 9)?

Android Pie, aka Android P or Android 9, is the 9th major update of Android OS. It was officially released to the public on August 6, 2018.

As the successor of Android Oreo, many new features of Android Pie are expected in both of the user interface (UI) and the underhood.

Since the release of Android Icecream Sandwich (Android 4.0) in 2011, Google has released one major update of Android each year: Android Jelly Bean (Android 4.1)  in 2012, Android KitKat (Android 4.4) in 2013, Android Lollipop (Android 5)  in 2014, Android Marshmallow (Android 6) in 2015, Android Nougat (Android 7)  in 2016 and Android Oreo (Android 8) in 2017.

On the release date, only Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL received the Android Pie (Android 9) update.  Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the first phones shipped with Android Pie.

Most Android vendors started to roll out Android Pie update for their flagship phones from October 2018.

Why do you care about the new features of Android Pie (Android 9)

For most end-users, user interface (UI) is one of the most important features.

Android Pie will not disappoint you.  There are tons of UI improvements.  Of course, unless you are using a Google Pixel phone or an Android One phone, the manufacturers may tweak these new UI features a bit.

This page highlights the top 20 new features of Android Pie that most Android users will be happy to enjoy.

For app developers, there are also many new features of Android Pie. For example, Android Pie now supports the Wi-Fi Round-Trip-Time (RTT). So you can take advantage of indoor positioning in your apps.

Anyway, updating your phone to Android Pie will rejuvenate your Oreo phone, which may look boring and work slower day-by-day.

#1 of the top 20 new features of Android Pie: new navigational gestures

Navigation buttons  (Home, Back and Recents/Overview) have been a standard feature in Android for a long time.… Read the rest

Top 10 New Features of Android Oreo 8.0

Get to know what's new in Android Oreo 8.0

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Top 10 New Features of Android Oreo 8.0Android Oreo 8.0 (Android O) was officially released to the public on August 21, 2017. It is hailed to be much smarter, faster and efficient than its predecessors.

Most flagship Android phones released in 2018 will come with Android Oreo 8.0/8.1 pre-installed.

In addition to its revamped user interface (UI), Android Oreo 8.0 introduces many new features and improvements for all-level users.

This Android Oreo guide explains the top 10 new features of Android Oreo 8.0: PIP mode, notification dots, notification channels, notification snoozing, adaptive icons, performance improvements and battery usage optimization, smart text selection, refined Settings menu, auto-fill, new Easter egg and new emojis.

For new features in Android Oreo 8.1, please check this post.

New Features of Android Oreo 8.0 #1: Picture-in-Picture mode (PIP)

PIP is one of Android 8.0’s most prominent features.

PIP is a special multi-window mode mostly used for video playback. This is similar to pop-up view in Samsung’s multiwindow mode.

Picture-in-Picture mode was previously introduced to Android TV with stock Android,  but not on mobile.

Unlike the split screen mode in Android Nougat, PIP allows you to continue watching videos in a separate small floating window while using other apps at the same time. In other words, you can watch videos and use other apps at the same time. More apps will support this feature.

To use PIP mode, you need to start by playing a video in a video player or on Youtube. Then, press the home button on the navigation bar. The video would appear as a small floating window. You can relocate the video window and further adjust the size of the floating window according to your preference.

You may check this How to use picture-in-picture (PIP) mode in Android Oreo 8.0 and 8.1? guide, if you want to know how to use PIP mode in detail.

New Features of Android Oreo 8.0 #2: Notification Dots

Notification dots will appear on the top right corner app icons whenever you receive a notification from the app.  Notification dots remain there until you read it or dismiss the notifications.

You can tap the notification dots to quickly see the notifications waiting for your action.

This Android Oreo feature is similar to number badges feature in Samsung phones. Unlike the number badge in Samsung, notification dots do not show the exact number of notification.

If you want to know about notification dots or want to use it, please check How to use notification dots (notification badges) in Android Oreo page.… Read the rest