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Google Releases Android N Developer Preview 2

The release builds on features introduced in last month's version, like multi-window and bundled notifications.

Angela Moscaritolo
 & Angela Moscaritolo Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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Heads up, Android developers: Google on Wednesday released the second iteration of its Android N Developer Preview.

This version fixes a number of bugs developers helped Google identify in the first version, released last month, including a problem that prevented people from being able to connect to hidden Wi-Fi networks, as well as others that caused pauses and crashes, meaning fewer glitches overall. The second developer preview also builds upon some features introduced in last month's version, like multi-window and bundled notifications, and adds some new ones.

For starters, there's a new 3D rendering API called Vulkan, which is "geared at providing explicit, low-overhead GPU control to developers," Dave Burke, VP of Android engineering at Google, wrote in a blog post. It promises to offer "a significant boost in performance for draw-call heavy applications." Vulkan is part of the Android N platform, meaning you can try it out on supported devices running Developer Preview 2.

The new Developer Preview also brings support for Emoji Unicode 9, launcher shortcuts, and API changes.

The new emoji design "moves away from our generic look in favor of a more human-looking design," Burke wrote. The update also introduces skin tone variations and new glyphs like bacon, selfie, and face palm. Keyboard and messaging app developers can and should start incorporating these emojis into their apps right away.

As for those new launcher shortcuts, they can help users perform actions within an app right away, like sending a message to a best friend, navigating home in a mapping app, or playing the next episode of a show in a TV app, Burke wrote.

Developers can get this and future preview updates by enrolling their devices in the Android Beta Program. If you've already enrolled your device, the update is on its way and should arrive "shortly." The N Developer Preview is available for Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, and Pixel C devices, as well as Android One devices.

About Our Expert

Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo

Managing Editor, Consumer Electronics

My Experience

I'm PCMag's managing editor for consumer electronics, overseeing an experienced team of analysts covering smart home, home entertainment, wearables, fitness and health tech, and various other product categories. I have been with PCMag for more than 10 years, and in that time have written more than 6,000 articles and reviews for the site. I previously served as an analyst focused on smart home and wearable devices, and before that I was a reporter covering consumer tech news. I'm also a yoga instructor, and have been actively teaching group and private classes for nearly a decade. 

Prior to joining PCMag, I was a reporter for SC Magazine, focusing on hackers and computer security. I earned a BS in journalism from West Virginia University, and started my career writing for newspapers in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The Technology I Use

My little Florida beach bungalow is brimming with smart home tech. I have a smart speaker or display in every room, allowing me to control other connected devices by voice. The Nest Hub on my bedside table lets me set wake-up alarms, control my smart light bulbs, and set the temperature on my smart thermostat. I use the Amazon Echo Show 8 on my kitchen counter to browse recipes, reorder protein powder, check the weather, and watch the news while I do dishes. 

Because I suffer from allergies, air purifiers are essential. My favorite model is the Dyson Purifier Cool TP07, which doubles as a fan and continuously sends indoor pollution data to its companion mobile app. 

My pitbull Bradley sheds, so a good robot vacuum is a must. I currently use a premium Ecovacs Deebot that can both vacuum and mop, empty its own dustbin, and wash its own mop cloth. 

For fitness, I like to mix up my routine with cycling, indoor rowing, running, and strength training in addition to yoga. I take classes on the Tonal 2 smart strength training machine, I row indoors on an Aviron machine, and track my beach runs with an Apple Watch while listening to music on my Apple AirPods Pro. On the weekends, I love riding e-bikes like the rugged, beach-friendly Aventon Aventure for fun and fitness.

My job involves a lot of virtual meetings, so a quality webcam, microphone, and ring light are important. I use the Jabra PanaCast 20 webcam, the Elgato Wave: 3 microphone, and a Yesker tripod ring light. 

As for my preferred phone platform, I'm an iPhone person, but I've also extensively used Android for product testing.

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