Mode, dark theme and 6 new features of Android 8.0 and 8.1 “Oreo”

Google has presented the latest version of your mobile system. Is about Android Oreo 8.0, previously known as Android O. Later it has also presented Android 8.1 (also “Oreo”), a minor update, the details of which we highlight at the bottom of this article.

Visually there are almost no changes in Android 8.0, beyond the redesign of emojis and customization of icons. The main changes are at the functional level. Many of these novelties you will not even see but you will realize with their use.

Changes in Android 8.0

Here are what I consider to be the 5 best Android Oreo features announced today by Google. Keep in mind that these are new features available in the pure or original version of Android. They will be seen by Pixel and Nexus phone users. It is possible that one or more of these features are omitted or altered by the manufacturers of Android devices, as they consider.

Picture in picture

Basically a windowed mode for Android. You can work with two applications simultaneously. When dealing with windows, as on the PC, you can adjust their size at will. It is a variant of the split screen feature that was seen in Android 7 Nougat.

This is a new feature in the original Android, but some manufacturers like Samsung have been implementing it for a long time.

Notification dots, categories and snooze

This is one of the coolest features in Android Oreo 8.0.

Notification Dots allows you to view the latest notifications directly from the application icon.

Notification control allows you to choose in a much more specific way which notifications you receive and which not from certain applications.

Notifications Snooze allows you to postpone a notification so that it will appear again within a certain time.

Autologenado de formularios

This Android 8.0 feature takes care of automatically filling in the username and password fields in applications. So you can quickly log into them in just a couple of taps without having to type this (or otherwise) data every time you want to log in.

Ambient display

Another cool feature that is very similar to Samsung’s Active Display feature. For example, in the Google Pixel this feature allows you to show the time and notifications on the screen by double-tapping on it when it is off. And by tapping on those notifications they expand to see their content.

Instant apps

Function that allows you to run new applications directly from the browser, without having to install them.

Other

Security, Speed ​​and Autonomy. Typical words that are mentioned in each presentation of a new Android. In terms of security we have Google Play Protect, although it is not an exclusive feature of Android 8 Oreo. Regarding the speed, Google says that on its Pixel phone the ignition is twice as fast with Android 8. Regarding the battery, it says that it will automatically limit the execution of applications in the background and the activation of the location service. We will see how remarkable this improvement is in terms of energy savings.

Another complementary feature is the Wi-Fi assistant, which automatically connects to high-quality open Wi-Fi networks and secures the connection with a VPN.

When will I receive the update on my cell phone

Google says that it has worked together with various manufacturers such as HMD Global (Nokia) Huawei, LG, Samsung, Motorola and others to bring the Android Oreo 8 update to these devices later this year. It sounds quite promising and we think it may have to do with Android Oreo 8’s Project Treble, which says that Android is built on a modular system, precisely to offer faster updates. We will see if this is fulfilled.

Android 8.1

Also identified as Android Oreo, it is a minor update that brings small changes compared to Android 8.0.

View battery of Bluetooth devices

In Android 8.1 you can see the battery level of a connected Bluetooth device. Directly from the same quick settings bar. No need to enter bluetooth settings.

This is a feature that other custom Android versions have been incorporating for a long time. Even the iPhone already offered it. With the addition of this feature in pure Android, we will probably see it in other custom versions of Android, like Samsung’s.

Auto dark theme

In this version, the color of the quick setting panel and the application menu is changed automatically. Darkens depending on the wallpaper color. When the background is dark, apply the color black to both elements. When the background is light, it applies the “white” color by default.

Additionally, the Quick Settings panel is now semi-transparent, regardless of what theme color you have.

Other new features of Android 8.1

• Floating button to shutdown and restart. It’s located right on the edge of the screen, next to the power button. This makes it easier to shut down or restart with one hand.
• Navigation buttons grayed out. It is reduced to the intensity of the color after periods of inactivity.
• Search bar with integrated search history.
• Settings> System> Gestures is the new location for the Gestures menu.

You can see all the changes of Android Oreo 8.1 on the official website googleblog.com.

Download update on Pixel and Nexus

To download these versions of Android on Pixel and Nexus cell phones, you have to join the Android Beta program. Can also be downloaded manually from the developer page. However, in this case no updates will be received over the internet, and whenever there is a new update it will have to be flashed manually.

Other cell phone brands will have to wait for the manufacturer’s update.