Google launched its genus Beta 1 version ofAndroid Qon March 13 , 2019 . If you are enrolled for the Android Beta programme , then you might get Android Q via an OTA update . Or if you are , like me , well you’re able to always download andflash it onto your Pixel . Now , at first glance , there seem to not many change and the UI is quite alike to Android 9 . But , when I start digging more , there are a wad of change .
Now , most of these changes are n’t something new and they have been around in the OEM skins for ages . But , you have intercourse when Google does software , it ’s always better . Having said that , this is the beta version and potentially things are gon na get way well ahead . So , here is what ’s new in Android Q.
Android Q: Best Features
1. Native Screen Recording
There is no shortage ofscreen transcription apps for Androidbut in Android Q , you may record do it natively . The choice is immediate to access and you just have to long weight-lift the Power button . Next , long crusade the Screenshot option and you will get the ability to screen record natively . But this call for to be enable in the preferences , we have a detailed article onhow to test record natively in Android Q
You also get options to opt to record vocalisation over and screen hydrant . However , these options operate on my Pixel and were unable on my Pixel 3 . So , the CRT screen transcription feature seems to have its own emergence which are expected to be fixed in the come genus Beta releases . Nonetheless , it ’s a salutary feature article to have and emphatically will reduce down one app from my app drawer .
2. Custom Fonts and Icon Shape
Well , I have used plenty of Android Launchers and the best I find is the gillyflower Pixel Launcher . It ’s silklike and smooth with no fancy excogitation . Ideal for most people . But the matter that it lacks the most is the customizations . you’re able to not even change font type or ikon Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe until Android P. In Android Q , you have the option to pose system - extensive baptistry and icon shape . You still have to journey to the Developer options tochange font case and ikon form .
Now , the matter is when you change icon figure and font type on launchers or even when you did it natively in Andriod P , it was n’t applicable to the notification drawer ikon . Until , in Android Q , these are also applied to the telling drawer icon . We only have one alternative font as of now but the selection will get wide in the consumer version .
3. Desktop Mode
This is the characteristic which become me the most aroused . You have something shout out “ Forced Desktop modality ” on secondary showing in the developer options . This as of now does n’t do anything but its a hint that Google is working on towards Android desktop . Or even something like Samsung Dex where you could use your Android Phone on handsome display .
The only working interface we could get of this was through Nexus Launcher ’s petty display activity . In brusque , I just invoked the secondary video display of Pixel Launcher via the following mastery on ADB .
Below are some screenshots of how the Android desktop looks like .
This is an utmost build and a lot of change will be done to the UI .
4. QR code
There ’s one feature article I particularly missed on my Pixel was the WiFi Sharing with just a QR code . Almost all the OEM skins like Huawei and Xiaomi ’s MIUI have been follow out this feature since Android Oreo . Android Q bring this feature to the developer beta program and it operate really well .
You just have to link to the Wi - Fi and go to its configurations to apportion the QR code . In case you do n’t find it , here is an clause onhow to share your WiFi without sharing password on Android Q. It could have been better point somewhere in the notification blind or options page which could have been much more accessible .
Update : As pointed by GadgetHacks , in the newfangled Android Q Beta , you could also see the password name in plain schoolbook beneath the QR code , so , just like Windows , now you could find passwords for any Wi - Fi connection you ’ve connected on your Android .
5. Dark Mode
In the Beta 1 update , you had to switch to Battery Saver manner to get into the dark root . While in Beta 3 , you still can do the same . But , here you get a dedicated Dark Theme button . We have a detailed usher onhow to start the black theme in Android Q. Now , the dark-skinned idea push the notification drawer , app drawer , Google apps , and the preferences menu into the morose feel . This does not impress the third - company apps and they will still have their own theme .
Talking about Google Apps , the single file manager had the dark topic along with Google Photos and the phone dialer . But , the messages on Pixel 3 was in dark way while on my Pixel it was still like before . So , in the future interpretation , we could await Google to have a separate dark mode option which would run organization - wide for all the native apps .
6. Gesture Navigation
in the end , Google brings gesture navigation to Android Q. It does n’t matter that much because most of the OEM ’s were giving it natively in their skin . But , now since Google has convey it , it ’s gon na stay for prospicient . The motion work on smoothly in fact even in the Beta build . you’re able to filch up from the bottom of the concealment to go to the home menu . Swiping properly or left from the edge of the concealment works as the back button .
You have a white Browning automatic rifle at the bottom which works as a slider to allow you switch over between apps . you could filch from the bottom and concord to go to the Recents screen . There is a slight glitch when you do this from the home fare . The app drawer kicking in and covers half of the display until you have the Recents screen jump in . It calculate glitchy but this would be take in the production physique .
7. FreeForm Window
FreeForm window or rather floating window have been a part of TouchWiz UI since way back . You could labor an app to a minimized float window on the screen . Now , the same feature of speech can be seen on Android Q as well . You have to enable it from the Developer option . Just start the setting call in “ Enable Freeform windowpane ” .
This is an experimental setting and working on the Pixel 3 but ceased to function on the Pixel .
8. Location Permission Revamp
Now , this is something which should make every Android drug user happy . It so often with Android apps that you give them permission for GPS and they leave it turn on all the time . It causes supererogatory bombardment drainage plus it ’s even unsafe . The app can access your fix data even in the background signal . So , now the permission has been vamp in Android Q and for a better good .
So , now you’re able to allow three types of fix permissions to the apps . It could be “ Allow”,“Allow only when the app is in use ” , and “ Deny ” . If you cater the permit “ Allow only when the app is in exercise ” , then the app can only use the license when it is open . Another important license improvement is if you deny an app any permission and the next clock time it asks for the same permission . you could opt to never receive the license request again .
9. Revamped Settings Menu
I never mean I would say this but looks like Google is paying more attention towards user privacy . Now , in the stage setting carte du jour , you get freestanding sections called Location and Privacy . The Location section is from where you could deform on and off GPS . Moreover , you have an app permissions section which read your fix permission based on apps . In addition to that , you’re able to now incapacitate Wi - Fi and Bluetooth scanning for all the apps at once . Just below that , you have advanced configurations where you could track your Google Location story and even incapacitate it .
The Privacy subdivision is somewhere you will ascertain normal App permission like before and some advanced mount . These permissions tell you entire apps permissions under one cover . You also have forward-looking options which include your Google Activity page . you’re able to get by your entire Google Activity under this Thomas Nelson Page . you may see your Maps Activity , graze activity , and even YouTube activity . Now , these advance configurations will permit you opt out of Ads personalization , autofill serving and even data sharing with Google .
Some of these were present in the previous Android Pie built but now they are more categorised under one section . It ’s right that Google is providing these preferences upfront and I wish that these make it to the terminal consumer edition . you could also opt - out of personalized ads or manage your bodily process through the preferences computer menu . Google also provides the option to settle how long you want your data point to be stored on the Google Server . praise to Google !
10. Dismiss Notifications
This one is just a pocket-sized alteration to how you get at your notification . Now , swiping the telling pass on wo n’t dismiss it . Else , it open choice to timely snooze it or doze forever . To dismiss them , you have to nobble right . Seems , like swiping good is the legit thing !
11. New Share features
I have often had this problem of forgetting the file name at the exact metre when I have to share it . So , in Android Q , you have an option for a warm trailer of a photo , television or written document right before you are sending it . Starting from Android Q , when you opt to partake poppycock it will only redirect you to the aboriginal File handler .
Now , when you are choose file cabinet to share , you could have a ready prevue button at the top of the Indian file . This facilitate to distinguish two like looking files . It would really be awesome if this warm prevue could be based on forgetful tap on the file .
12. Randomized MAC Address
antecedently in Android 9 , you had the choice to provide random MAC Addresses to Wi - Fis . But this Setting was deep hidden in Developer options and you had to enable it manually . So , now in Android Q , randomize MAC Addresses will be the default option . If you connect to a Wi - Fi web , by default it would get a random MAC Address rather than the gadget MAC Address .
This is a respectable step towards privacy and it will restrict MAC burlesque in public connection . Moreover , you have the option to enable gimmick MAC Address for some Wi - Fis based on SSID . And for the developers , a machine owner app can request for the twist ’s original MAC Address . However , apps that work on public Wi - Fi will be restricted from take your original MAC Address unless you choose otherwise .