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The next version of Android is officially ‘Nougat’

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Update: A video from the statue unwrapping officially confirms that Nougat is Android 7.0.


The next version of Android (which has been in Developer Preview since earlier this year) is officially called Nougat. A ceremony at the Googleplex this morning unveiled the Android figurine simply standing on top of a nougat bar. Unfortunately, the announcement did not come with an official version number or a launch date.


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Here’s everything that’s new in Android N Developer Preview 4 [Gallery]

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Android N is nearing its summer launch with Developer Preview 4. While DP3 was the first beta version stable enough for use as a daily driver, this preview is meant to get third-party developers ready to publish Android N-compatible apps. It features final APIs and the official SDK, as well as the ability for developers to publish apps to devices running Android N.

Those who have already enrolled in the Android Beta Program will get an OTA update soon, but if you’re impatient you can download new factory images right now. Keep reading for our complete list of all the changes in Developer Preview 4…


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Android N quick-tip: How to activate split-screen multitasking mode

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Android N has been available in the form of a Developer Preview now for a few weeks and is already in to its second preview. Part of this upcoming major software update is the baked-in ability to have two apps side-by-side on the screen, otherwise known as split-screen multitasking. Here’s how you use it…


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Android Studio 2.1 with support for N Developer Preview released to stable channel

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Along with the Android N Developer Preview, Google released a preview version of Android Studio to allow developers to begin testing their apps. Android Studio 2.1 has now been released to the stable channel with updates to Instant Run, along with other Android N development features.


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3D Touch-like launcher shortcuts demoed in latest Android N Developer Preview [Video]

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One of the new features highlighted by Google in the second Android N Developer Preview were launcher shortcuts. While Google did not provide any imagery in the developer documentation, Phandroid, with the help of some developers, was able to create a working demo that reveals an iOS-like 3D Touch feature in Android N…


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Here are the new human-like Unicode 9.0 emoji coming in Android N [Gallery]

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Thanks to Emojipedia you don’t have to install the Android N Developer Preview to see Google’s take on the latest Unicode 9.0 emoji. The move away from generic bulbous characters to more human-like designs has apparently been a contentious decision, but this update also includes several new emoji that should make everyone happy…


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Freeform mode in Android N shown in new screenshots w/ floating and resizable windows

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In case you hadn’t heard, Android N adds a split-screen mode for phones/tablets and picture-in-picture for Android TV. As previously reported, it also has code references to a freeform mode that allows users to freely resize an app. Now, ArsTechnica (via developer Zhuowei Zhang) has managed to enable the mode and it reveals a very desktop-like UI…


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Code references to ‘freeform window’ and close/maximize buttons spotted in Android N

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UpdateFreeform is mentioned in the Android N developer documents as a mode that manufacturers of larger devices can enable to allow users to freely resize an app.

Android N will bring a much-needed split-screen mode to tablets when it comes out this summer, but Google might have more ambitious plans as code references to “freeform windows” were discovered by Ars Technica in the Android N Developer Preview.


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These are the bugs to be aware of before installing the Android N Developer Preview

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Many Android enthusiasts will want to install the Android N Developer Preview right away, disregarding Google’s advice that it is “not suitable for daily use on phone or tablet.” Non-developers should keep in mind, though, that Preview 1 is an alpha and has various stability and performance issues…


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Final Android N will be available this summer, public beta for consumers later this year

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Android head Hiroshi Lockheimer has revealed in a post on Medium today that the next version of Google’s mobile operating system will be available to OEMs this summer. On a more whimsical note, Lockheimer notes that Google is still deciding on what dessert name to bestow upon the OS. “We’re nut tellin’ you yet,” he says.


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