Google Releases Android N Developer Preview and Other Tech News

by Q3 Technologies Q3 Technologies - Building Quality into Software

It’s a historic day in tech today as we have a lot of important tech updates to cover. Let’s get started!

Google Releases Android N Developer Preview

Even though Android N isn’t even on 3% of total Android devices, in a surprising turn of events, Google has released the developer preview version of Android N. The Android N has many power-packed features like split-screen support, bundled notifications, reply from notifications, night mode, better battery life and improved Java language support.

"As we look to the next release of Android, N, you’ll notice a few big changes aimed at you as developers: it’s earlier than ever, it’s easier to try and we’re expanding the ways for you to give us feedback. We hope these changes will ensure that you are heard and reflected — that’s what makes Android stronger,” says Hiroshi Lockheimer, Google SVP for Android.

“By releasing the first preview and asking for your feedback now, we’ll be able to act on that feedback while still being able to hand off the final N release to device makers this summer, so they can get their hands on the latest version of Android earlier than ever. Plus, you’ll be able to use this additional time to support all of the new goodies in N in your apps."

For those willing to take the step, Google is allowing users to sign up for the version through OTA (over-the-air) updates for Nexus devices (except Nexus 5).

MIT Unveils Faster Web Browsing

Webpage loading times are increasing each day. Even Google assigns rank to a page based on the loading time for a given page. MIT has an answer for these problems.

Researchers at CSAIL (Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory) at MIT have invented a new kind of way of mapping the web. Called Polaris, the tool maps dependencies (or connections) between the different elements on the page to determine the most efficient route for the web browser to load all elements.

Apple and DoJ in a War for Privacy

As if the Apple v. FBI case could not get more complicated, the Department of Justice (DoJ) has released a 43-page document that accuses Apple of false rhetoric.

“Apple’s rhetoric is not only false, but also corrosive of the very institutions that are best able to safeguard our liberty and our rights… Apple and its amici try to alarm this Court with issues of network security, encryption, back doors, and privacy, invoking larger debates before Congress and in the news media. That is a diversion. Apple desperately wants—desperately needs—this case not to be “about one isolated iPhone.”

Apple’s response? Apparently anyone trying to safeguard the future of privacy would be angered by the document.

“In 30 years of practice, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a legal brief that was more intended to smear the other side with false accusations and innuendo, and less intended to focus on the real merits of the case. To do this in a brief before a magistrate judge just shows the desperation that the Department of Justice now feels,” says General Counsel Bruce Sewell of Apple.