Rosie Grace: Android P's biggest early visual change

Subject to change

The first release of the Android P Developer Preview today, we first saw a visual refresh of Google’s rumors a few months ago. This is a very early build of the software, so it is likely that there will be more changes - and there will be some changes in the next preview. But even so, Barebone Developer Preview 1 clearly shows that Google is developing in a more sleek, richer direction.

The next developer preview of Android P is expected to be sometime in May, so this is the next time we see more changes in Android because it appears on Google’s Pixel devices and other products. Here are the new features released for the first time today:

Clock moves to the left for notifications that are not easy to notify

The clock has moved from the right end of Android P's top status bar to the left end. Also, because the new operating system is optimized for grooves that may cut into the top display area, it will start placing notifications next to the time. Up to four different application icons can be displayed; then, Android P will display a simple point to let you know there are more waiting after you slide down the notification tray.

More exciting setting menu

Google seems to be obsessed with constantly changing and resetting the settings screen for each major Android update. This year, it made things more colorful through new icons on the right side of the web, display, battery, and more. The actual layout of things has barely changed, but Oreo's grayscale icons have disappeared and are replaced by colorful circles. Very Samsung.

More direct and quick setup of PULLLDOWN

This is one of the areas where Google is clearly making changes. The corners have been rounded off, and the settings icon for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. is now in the circle where color accents appear when enabled, or turns gray when closed. The bar below the icon is also close. When fully expanded, the new quick set drop-down menu looks like this:

The dock look like a dock again

Android P's dock includes your favorite apps and Google search bar, which has been given a cloudy backdrop to help you highlight everything else on your home screen. This should also make it more obvious because it can easily reach the application switcher. There is also a microphone icon on the right side of the search bar for quicker and easier access to voice search and Google Assistant.

Power menu now lets you take a screenshot

The Power Off / Restart pop-up on the Pixel now adds a function in both windows: screenshots. Therefore, if the normal button combination is not ideal in a specific situation, just hold the power and tap the screen capture button to capture what is displayed on the screen - yes, no power/restart/screenshot.

Volume slider zooms out and moves to the correct position

Google must love to relocate the power options in Android Oreo; now it does the same thing with the software volume slider. Despite this, software engineers may need to do little work to make this change more direct. Even if I am confused about the meaning of this arrow icon. (Tap the Ring/Vibrate and Silent Ringer Call/Ring Button Switch.)

Pixel product SANS fonts appear in more places

It is unclear whether this is intentional or is simply a result of the early construction of Android P, but Google's fonts for the Pixel brand are shown in more places throughout the system, such as "allow" and "reject." It is officially named Product Sans.

Rosie Grace

Monday, 12 March 2018

Android P's biggest early visual change

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