Google has released Android P Beta 2. Android P Beta 2 includes the final Android P APIs (API level 28), latest system images, display cutout support, and more.
Machine Learning is at the core of Android P, Google says. Indeed, Google has partnered with DeepMind on a feature called Adaptive Battery that uses machine learning to prioritize system resources. Adaptive Battery should work well in apps that are optimized for Doze, App Standby, and Background Limits. In addition, Google says developers will be able to raise the visibility of an app using App Actions. This feature takes advantage of machine learning to recommend an app for users as a way to fulfill their needs.
Android P adds support for the latest edge-to-edge screens with display cutout for the camera and speaker. The new DisplayCutout class can be helpful for finding out non-functional areas where content shouldn't be displayed. Developers can check out the documentation to learn how to manage the cutout area and avoid common compatibility issues that can affect apps.
Several enhancements were introduced for notifications. Developers can now show conversations, attach photos and stickers, and even suggest smart replies. Google says developers will soon be able to use ML Kit to generate smart reply suggestions.
A series of new security features has been added on Android P, including a unified fingerprint authentication dialog and high-assurance user confirmation of sensitive transactions. Developers no longer need to build their own dialog; they should use BiometricPrompt API to show the standard system dialog. In addition, the API supports Face and Iris authentication. For more details, check the Security Updates page.
For apps that use a device camera, it is now possible to access streams from two or more physical cameras simultaneously. Developers can create new features not feasible with just a single camera, such as seamless zoom, bokeh, and stereo vision. Furthermore, there is a new SessionConfiguration that helps to reduce delays during initial capture.
Dynamics Processing API is an audio effect for equalizing and changing dynamic range properties of sound. It is composed of multiple stages including equalization, multi-band compression and limiter. Audio apps can use Dynamics Processing API to modify the audio coming out of Android devices and optimize it according to the listener or the ambient conditions.
For a complete list of the new features and APIs, take a look at the Android P features overview.