Split-screen multitasking, interactive notifications and more:Android N developer preview

Google has put out an early developer preview of Android N, the next OS in the series. Google usually gives developers, fans a first look at the new OS at its annual I/O developer conference, so this preview comes as a surprise.Google Developers, part of the Beta program, can download the Android N preview. Google says that with Android N, it will be provide monthly updates, over the air (OTA) and developers won’t have to flash the device.Google’s Android developer website points out, “new for Android N is an Over-the-Air (OTA) update program that automatically delivers the latest preview updates of Android N directly to devices enrolled in the program. The program is free, and it’s open to anyone who has a supported device that’s registered to their Google account.” Google’s website also lists some new features in Android N that developers can test out. These include multi-window support, which will show more than one app at a time, interactive notifications which allows users to respond to the alert from the notification shade itself, without going to the app itself. Google’s Android N also come with more background optimisation, which includes new restrictions to limit implicit broadcasts. There’s also a data saver feature, which users can enable in Android N to use less data. Google says that when a user enables Data Saver in Settings, and the device is on a metered network, the system blocks background data usage, and signals apps to use less data in the foreground wherever possible. There’s also a Direct Boot feature in Android N and this mode is on when the device is on, but the user has not unlocked it. In order to support this, Google has included two storage locations for data.