The next major Android version, Android P, could see a release in almost half a year’s time. So, other than guessing the name of the new dessert, features are being anticipated by the Android lovers.
A Bloomberg report, claiming sources, said Google might follow Apple’s path and award Android devices a notch similar to iPhone X. As a part of a ‘dramatic redesign’ of the mobile OS, the move might be Google’s effort to attract Apple users and make their iOS to Android transition less troublesome by facilitating a similar experience.
It won’t be the first time Android devices would feature a notch; Andy Rubin’s Essential Phone already has it, though it’s smaller than that of iPhone X. But it can’t be assumed that the said change would arrive on all Android devices as the manufacturing of Android smartphones is done by many companies which can tailor the devices as they want.
Android 9.0 would also include better support for devices with different form factors (like multiple screens and foldable displays) and better integration of Google Assistant. The report said that third-party developers will be able to use Google Assistant in their apps. Chances are that the company might integrate assistant into the search bar on the home screen as well.
Regarding the name of Android P, the sources said that the next Android is internally codenamed Pistachio Ice Cream. But, Google is known to keep separate public codenames for Android versions. Recently, they dropped some hint by keeping a Pineapple Pie in Google I/O puzzle.
All of the said changes can only be confirmed when Android 9.0 sees the daylight. We could see a developer preview popping out sometime before I/O if Google follows their recent annual trend of releasing the previews earlier.