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Here Are The Features Android N “Borrowed” From iOS

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Here Are The Features Android N “Borrowed” From iOS


Features

The two operating systems “borrow” from each other A LOT.


Michael Grothaus

17:39, 10 Mar 2016

Google surprised everyone yesterday by releasing a developer preview of the next version of Android, dubbed “Android N”, well before its I/O conference kicks off in May. As we reported yesterday, “The firm’s VP of Engineering, Dave Burke, wrote in a blog post that the released build was ‘still in active development’ and a ‘work in progress’ likely hinting that much is still subject to change and this is nowhere near the final product – don’t expect it to be too polished, in other words.”

Still, feedback seems mostly positive for those that have played around with it. With Android N’s early preview, it also means people can get a jump start on comparing it to Apple’s latest iOS 9 operating system. From the looks of it, Android N is borrowing some of the most loved features of iOS 9 and earlier. We’ve rounded up those features below, but first want to remind fanboys on both sides to remain calm: yes, both operating systems borrow from each other. iOS has taken a lot of cues from Android and vice versa (and iOS should steal a bit more, by the way). That’s just the name of the game.

Got that? Good now here’s the features Android N has borrowed from iOS.

A public beta program

Okay, this isn’t technically a feature of Android N itself, rather it’s a new, early distribution method of the OS to consumers—and something Apple started doing with iOS 9 last year. Google has announced that—like iOS 9’s public beta program—Android N will offer a public beta program for consumers later this year.

“This initial preview release is for developers only and not intended for daily use or consumer use. We plan to update the N Developer Preview system images often during the Developer Preview program. As we get closer to a final product, we’ll be inviting consumers to try it out as well,” Android VP of Engineering Dave Burke wrote in a blog post.

It doesn’t matter that Apple offered a public beta first. This is a huge win for Android users as a public beta means more bugs will get caught early and fixed promptly so the OS has a smoother rollout when it is officially released later this year.

Split View aka Multi-Window Support

In iOS 9 Apple introduced Split View multitasking on iPads. Split View allows two apps to be run next to each other on the display at the same time. This same feature has made it into Android N under the name of “Multi-Window Support”.

However, there are some differences between the features, and Android N arguably has a better implementation. On iOS Split View only works on iPads and only separates apps on the left and right side of the screen. Split View also only allows the right app to be split into quarters.

With Android N, Multi-Window Support takes the iOS 9 features further by allowing apps to be split side by side or top and bottom. Multi-Window Support also allows apps on any side to be split into quarters. Finally—and best of all—Multi-Window Support is for both tablets AND phones.

Picture-in-picture

With iOS 9 Apple brought picture-in-picture support to the iPad (only). Picture-in-picture allows users to be working inside one app while the video player of another app is playing in a small window on the same screen. Android N brings a similar picture-in-picture feature to the OS, but only to Android TV devices and NOT to tablets.

Look, I don’t care who did picture-in-picture first. Neither Apple and Google are implementing it fully across devices, which is a mistake. It’s awesome that Android N is bringing picture-in-picture to Android TV, but why not tablets? Likewise with Apple, picture-in-picture is awesome on the iPad, but why does the Apple TV lack picture-in-picture?

If you guys are going to steal from each other, own it across all your devices.

Quick reply notifications

Android N adds interactive notifications across the OS. Specifically, users can now tap on a notification and get the option to act on it—such as replying to a text within the notification itself—or dismiss it. Android users will love this feature—just as iPhone users have for years. That’s because quick reply notifications have existed in iOS since version 8.0.

Night Mode aka Night Shift

The final thing Android N steals from iOS is Night Mode. On iOS 9.3 this is called Night Shift and it allows the color of a user’s screen to change depending on the time of day. As the night goes on, screens will take on more of an orange hue, blocking the blue light our devices normally emit, which can keep us up at night. I would call this a blatant rip off, but I can’t. Because Android N is actually stealing Night Mode from iOS 9.3, but iOS originally stole it from Android M.

What, what?

Yeah, that’s right. Night Mode was a beta feature in Android M, but it never made it into the final shipping build. It’s back around this time though, and given that Apple is giving this health feature top billing in iOS 9.3, it’s likely that this time Night Mode will make it into the final version of Android N.

Features

The running techniques “borrow” from each and every different I LOT.

Michael Grothaus 17:39, 10 Mar 2016

Google stunned everybody the previous day by way of freeing a developer preview of the following model of Android, dubbed “Android N”, smartly prior to its O/A convention kicks off in May. As we reported yesterday, “The company's VP of Engineering, Dave Burke, wrote in a weblog submit that the launched construct used to be ‘nonetheless in lively construction’ and a ‘paintings in growth’ most probably hinting that so much continues to be topic to switch and that is nowhere close to the general product - do not be expecting it to be too polished, in different phrases.”

Still, comments turns out most commonly sure for those who have performed round with it. With Android N’s early preview, it additionally method folks can get a leap get started on evaluating it to Apple’s up to date iOS 9 running device. From the appearance of it, Android N is borrowing one of the most so much liked options of iOS 9 and in advance. We’ve rounded up the ones options beneath, however first need to remind fanboys on each side to stay calm: sure, each running techniques borrow from each and every different. iOS has taken a large number of cues from Android and vice versa (and iOS should steal a bit more, through the best way). That’s simply the secret.

Got that? Good now right here’s the options Android N has borrowed from iOS.

S public beta software

Okay, this isn’t technically a function of Android N itself, fairly it’s a brand new, early distribution approach of the OS to shoppers—and one thing Apple began doing with iOS 9 ultimate yr. Google has introduced that—like iOS 9’s public beta software—Android N will be offering a public beta software for shoppers later this yr.

“This preliminary preview unlock is for developers best and now not meant for day by day use or shopper use. We plan to update the N Developer Preview device photographs steadily throughout the Developer Preview software. As we get nearer to a last product, we’ll be inviting shoppers to take a look at it out as smartly,” Android VP of Engineering Dave Burke wrote in a blog post.

It doesn’t topic that Apple presented a public beta first. This is a large win for Android customers as a public beta approach extra insects gets stuck early and glued right away so the OS has a smoother rollout while it's formally launched later this yr.

Split View aka Multi-Window Support

In iOS 9 Apple presented Split View multitasking on iPads. Split View lets in apps to be run subsequent to one another at the show on the comparable time. This comparable function has made it into Android N underneath the identify of “Multi-Window Support”.

However, there are a few variations among the options, and Android N arguably has a greater implementation. On iOS Split View best works on iPads and most effective separates apps at the left and proper aspect of the monitor. Split View additionally best lets in the fitting app to be cut up into quarters.

With Android N, Multi-Window Support takes the iOS 9 options additional via permitting apps to be cut up aspect by way of aspect or most sensible and backside. Multi-Window Support additionally lets in apps on any aspect to be cut up into quarters. Finally—and highest of all—Multi-Window Support is for each drugs AND telephones.

Picture-in-image

With iOS 9 Apple introduced image-in-image strengthen to the iPad (handiest). Picture-in-image lets in customers to be running inside of one app at the same time as the video participant of any other app is enjoying in a small window at the comparable display. Android N brings a identical image-in-image function to the OS, however best to Android TV units and NOT to drugs.

Look, A don’t care who did image-in-image first. Neither Apple and Google are enforcing it absolutely throughout units, that is a mistake. It’s superior that Android N is bringing image-in-image to Android TV, however why now not drugs? Likewise with Apple, image-in-image is superior at the iPad, however why does the Apple TV lack image-in-image?

If you men are going to scouse borrow from each and every different, personal it throughout all of your units.

Quick answer notifications

Android N provides interactive notifications around the OS. Specifically, customers can now faucet on a notification and get the strategy to act on it—akin to replying to a textual content inside the notification itself—or brush aside it. Android customers will love this option—simply as iPhone customers have for years. That’s as a result of fast answer notifications have existed in iOS due to the fact model 8.0.

Night Mode aka Night Shift

The last thing Android N steals from iOS is Night Mode. On iOS 9.3 that is referred to as Night Shift and it lets in the colour of a consumer’s monitor to switch relying at the time of day. As the night time is going on, monitors will tackle extra of an orange hue, blocking off the blue gentle our units in most cases emit, which will stay us up at night time. A may name this a blatant rip off, however A can’t. Because Android N is if truth be told stealing Night Mode from iOS 9.3, however iOS at the start stole it from Android H.

What, what?

Yeah, that’s proper. Night Mode used to be a beta function in Android A, nevertheless it by no means made it into the general delivery construct. It’s again round this time despite the fact that, and for the reason that Apple is giving this well being function most sensible billing in iOS 9.3, it’s most probably that this time Night Mode will make it into the general model of Android N.

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