Google today revealed that Android 9 will be called Pie and made the refreshed operating system available to its Pixel-branded phones.
Android Pie makes use of artificial intelligence to anticipate user actions. For example, it includes adaptive battery and adaptive brightness. Toghether, these tweak the settings throughout the day to reduce power drain while making sure the user always has access to the phone’s full power.
App Actions predict what users are likely to do next based on their context and displays that action on the phone. Android Pie introduces new navigational gestures that rely on swiping and flicking a small pill that appears at the bottom of the screen. The smart text selection tool now transports text more easily between apps, while the tweaked Quick Settings bar offers a better way to take and edit screenshots. The new dashboard is meant to help you use the phone less.
It includes an app timer, wind down, and an improved do not disturb mode to make sure people spend time away from their phone without interruptions. These well-being tools are only available in beta. The new OS also includes a number of security improvements, such as a more secure way to handle biometrics.
Google is distributing Android 9 Pie to the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL via over-the-air download. The OS will also reach select phones from Sony, Xiaomi, HMD Global, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Essential, as well as all qualifying Android One devices, later this fall.
It is up to individual phone makers to provide the latest platform their their hardware.
