JANUARY 2019 PCWorld 89something, that’s going to
change in Android Q. Google is
opening up access to high-
priority notifications that alert you
to an alarm or phone call via a
banner at the top of the screen
so you can decide for yourself
whether to dismiss it or stop
what you’re doing to address it.
- SHARING WILL BE
FAST AND EASY
For as fast and reliable as Android
has gotten over the years, one
area where it’s always been
frustratingly slow is sharing. Google is fixing
that in Android Q. Now when you tap the
share icon “the share UI will load instantly
when launched,” eliminating the annoying lag
we experience now. That’s due to a new
Sharing Shortcuts API that takes its inspiration
from the App Shortcuts introduced with
Android 9. - THE RIGHT SETTINGS
WILL ALWAYS BE AT YOUR
FINGERTIPS
A new Settings Panel API will enable
developers to build quick settings right into
their apps so you won’t need to jump to a
different app or even pull down the
notification shade to tweak something. As
Google explains, “a browser could display
a panel with connectivity settings like
Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi (including nearby
networks), and Mobile Data” all without
needing to leave the app.- WI-FI CALLS AND
GAMING WILL BE BETTER
THAN EVER
Wi-Fi 6 is on the way, and we’re already
starting to see phones that use the new chip,
but Android Q will make your Wi-Fi faster and
smarter even if you aren’t able to take
advantage of the new standard. A new feature
will allow for specific Wi-Fi modes so
developers will be able to enable high
performance and low latency modes to help
with gaming and Wi-Fi calls. That means
those annoying delays when streaming
games over Wi-Fi or making calls could be a
thing of the past.
Google will be supporting foldable displays (left) and in-app
setting shortcuts (right) in Android Q