Even as Android users are waiting to receive the Oreo update, Google went ahead and released Android Pie on 6th August 2018. While people have yet to get a piece of the Pie, Google has slated Android Q for release by May 2019 for the beta version and a stable version by August 2019. Is Q all the soul-shaking? Q of James Bond fame was certainly responsible for some futuristic gadgets so does Android Q offer something more than Pie or Oreo?
Gestures speak louder
Pie does away with navigation buttons and introduces gestures. You have to get used to swiping, especially the home button. Q is an incremental upgrade to the swipe gesture feature in Pie.
The dark mode rules
The future may be bright for Google but Q gets a dark theme that flows over to all supported apps. The dark mode can be enabled in display settings. You have options here but the greatest changes are in permissions.
Permissions
Do unruly apps bother you? Do not worry. Android Q has enhanced permissions and privacy features. You will be able to restrict apps in the use of location and other features. You can permit location use only when you use the app and you have a permission usage graphic to view. Android app developers will need to take this into account.
Desktop display
For all those out there wondering why or why Android does not allow you to connect to an external display, this feature could finally be here a-la Samsung Dex. You could possibly connect through HDMI. This, according to leaks, is still work in process but if it does become a full-fledged feature it would be quite welcome.
Accessibility
Some minor tweaks here but important are that you can customize how long messages can be displayed temporarily before the notification vanishes.
Your Android device will know you better
Face recognition goes native and your device should presumably be able to recognize you better with its enhanced AI, regardless of makeup or hairstyle or sunglasses. This, of course, depends on hardware too so Android app developers will need to take a look into this feature to see how they can use it for better security.
Record screen
You can be creative with Q. It supposedly lets you capture screen and superimpose with a voice over.
Wi-Fi to WPA3
The new Wi-Fi WPA3 becomes standard.
Call blocking
Heave a sigh of relief. Now you can block all unwanted calls from unknown numbers or any numbers not in your list.
Carriers can lock SIM
Ummmm…not so good from some users’ perspective. Q will allow carriers to lock down phones through the SIM card.
Protection of media files, downgrade apps and more
The unsung features:
Background clipboard access could be read by apps but Q will restrict such background access.
Old is sometimes gold so if you have upgraded an app and find it is worse than before, Q will let you go back to the older version.
Some apps require access to media and files stored on your device and harvest data in the process. Android Q will place restrictions on access to photos, videos, music files and the location of media.
Android Q will allow an app to recognize your physical activity.
What does Q stand for?
It is anybody’s guess.