Google makes Android look like Windows and OS X – CNews.ru

Innovation

Google plans to use the model of Microsoft and Apple and launch new Android features in the beta testing stage as they become available, without waiting for the launch of the new version of the operating system, according to the publication Ars Technica, has made this conclusion based on an open Google information about the release of the update to Android 7.0 Nougat.

The current scheme

Traditionally, Google releases new Android version once a year: Android 7.0 Nougat was announced in 2016, Android 6.0 Marshmallow – in 2015, Android 5.0 Lollipop – in 2014, etc. After the release of the new version of the company, a few months later, as.. usually produces a large cumulative update, and then, on an occasional basis, -. updates smaller every few months

Certificate changes

With the announcement of Android 7.0 Nougat Google Inc. has not stopped the public beta of new Android 7.0 features, this program is preserved. This leads to the conclusion that the company intends to continue the development of this version and regularly provide users with new features for testing – exactly as do Microsoft and Apple in the relevant programs and Windows Insider Apple Beta Software Program. Major innovations by Microsoft and Apple’s, however, is left to a future version of your Operating system – Windows and OS X.

Thus, it is possible that Google will use the same scheme. Users who like to be among the first to get acquainted with the new platform features, retain access to their testing right up until the moment when they perekochuyut in the final release.

Google plans to use the model of Microsoft and Apple for testing Android

Quarterly update

it is also expected that Google will be releasing major updates Android on a quarterly basis, that is, in general, a more precise timetable than is the case now.

Speaking about the fact that the new test launcher Nexus Launcher is not supported in the current version of Android 7.0, so it requires higher interface level programming (API) – 25, whereas now supported by 24 levels. It is assumed that in the first quarterly update this level will increase by one.

Fighting fragmentation

Quarterly major upgrades to help fight the fragmentation which remains a large the problem of the Android ecosystem. Fragmentation – is the presence of a large number of firmware, which should take into account the parameters of specific devices, resulting in the extra effort and time that developers have to spend on the application adaptation.

If Google will be releasing major updates once a quarter, device manufacturers and other participants in the supply chain will be able to thoroughly prepare for the new release. In theory, this should facilitate the work of developers.