Google has officially announced the launched Android 10, its latest operating system.
The new OS comes with almost 50 changes related to user privacy and security protections, the much anticipated Dark Theme, Smart Reply in notifications, gesture navigation as well as supporting new technologies like Foldables and 5G.
The launch of Android 10 was announced two days ago, with the release of the OS on Google’s Pixel phones, with other android phones to be supported in the coming months.
Updates and new features on Android 10
Android 10, as Google revealed in a blog post is focused on making everyday life easier with features powered by on-device machine learning that provide greater protection, transparency, and control over your data.
Better innovative experiences with the support of 5G and Foldable technology
Taking advantage of the latest hardware and software innovations to create a superior OS, Google has extended multitasking across app windows and included screen continuity to maintain app state for foldable devices.
Similarly, with the launch of 5G technology which promises faster internet speed.
Android 10 has added a platform to support 5G networks by extending API’s that can help take advantage of the enhancements to create a seamless experience to users over 5G.
New theming options, simple and smarter experiences
With a toggle via Quick Settings, Android 10 presents the option of a whole new look with the system-wide dark theme that’s ideal for low light and helps save battery.
Also, users will be able to customise their phones with the new theming section buried in the Developer Options of Android 10, where you can change your phone’s accent colour to any of the following hues: Black, Green, Purple, Cinnamon, Ocean, Space, and Orchid.
The back button common with Android OS has been removed in its latest OS, in its place Android 10 uses fully gesture navigation mode that eliminates the navigation bar.
The new gesture navigation allows apps to use larger, edge-to-edge screens as well as simple swipes that takes you backwards, pull up the home screen, and fluidly shuffle between apps.
Interestingly, media playing on user’s devices can now be automatically captioned with the new OS. With a single tap, Live Caption will automatically caption podcasts, audio messages and videos across any app.
Also, across all your favourite messaging apps Android 10 uses on-device ML to suggest contextual actions such as smart replies for messages or opening a map for an address in the notification.
Better privacy controls and protection
With the new OS, location data can be restricted to provide access only when an app is open. As well as reminders when an app you are not actively using is accessing your location.
More control over shared files and repositories like Photos and videos have also been added with important controls like Web & App Activity and Ad Settings.
The new Andriod 10 prevents apps from tracking your device by restricting access to non-resettable device identifiers that could be used for tracking, including device IMEI, serial number, and similar identifiers. Also, the new OS randomises its MAC address when connected to different Wi-Fi networks.
Android 10 also includes Google’s new encryption mode, Adiantum that makes encryption of user’s data more efficient and reliable.
Other features include Scoped Storage – which allows users to control how apps access external storage and Sharing Shortcuts – which allows developers to create a new option in the share menu that will share a file/photo/video in a specific part of another app much faster than before.
According to Emojipedia tweeter page, the new OS will have 236 new emojis, such as the yawning emoji, the pinching emoji, the mechanical arm, with hearing aid among others.
Also, as part of Google’s Digital Wellbeing features, a special Focus mode has been included in Android 10, which allows users to select the apps that they find distracting and silence them until they come out of the Focus mode.
User’s reaction to the launch of Android 10
The launch of Android 10 has riled a lot of intrigues has Pixel users have been updating their OS to the latest version so as to try out the new features. A twitter user with handle capone214 tweeted that he really loved the new dark mode on his device.
Capone is not alone as ViKash Suriya also tweeted that he also loved the new dark mode.
Across media platform, Pixel users have acknowledged the release of the new OS as well as displaying pictures that they have already upgraded to the new Android 10.
Pixel user, Hillel Fuld tweeted how owning a Pixel help him upgrade to Android 10 fast.
Likewise, Tushar Behera also tweeted getting the new Android 10 on his pixel device.
Android 10 is available currently for Pixel phone and Essential Phones, with other Android device manufacturers to roll out their plans for Android 10 upgrades in the next few months.
However, Google has said they working with their partners to launch and upgrade devices to Android 10 this year.
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