Google has recently released the latest version of its mobile operating system, Android 9 Pie. As you might expect, the OS is packed with innovative solutions and fun updates – but it still has the Flappy Bird clone hidden deep in its bowels. Let’s take a look at some of these today, and see how they will continue to support Africa’s digital revolution.
A new navigation icon
Previous versions of the Android operating system came with three software buttons on the bottom of the screen with various functions – home, back, and such. In Android 9 Pie, these have been replaced by a single pill-shaped button that will have many functions.
If you long press on it, it will bring out Google Assistant. If you swipe up from it, it will bring up the latest apps you have used. It allows you to scroll through your active apps horizontally if you swipe to the left or right. And tapping it will bring you back to the home screen.
Interactive search results
When you search for an app in a previous version of Android, its name and icon will show up in the results. But in Android 9 Pie, these search results are much smarter – and interactive. When you search for an app in the latest version of the Android operating system, the search results will show you not only the name of the app and its icon but also information from within the app, offering functionality and interaction right from the search results. It will probably take a bit of getting used to but will likely prove to be very useful once you get the hang of it.
Digital Well-being
An ever-increasing number of people in the world develop an unhealthy relationship with their phones. Android 9 Pie has a new function designed to curb this, called “Digital Wellbeing”. Basically, it’s a function meant to limit the time you spend mindlessly scrolling through your smartphone screen. To do so, you can go into the Settings and see how much time you spent on your phone and what apps you have used the most. You will be able to set timers on individual apps and set the times when you want your phone screen to go monochrome or your handset to mute notifications completely.
This feature is still in beta and will be rolled out first on Google’s Pixel phones this fall.
With Android 9 Pie, smartphone usage will become more intuitive, more efficient, and probably less time-consuming – these are all great achievements that the world needs more of. And the list of new features in the new Android OS doesn’t stop here at all.
