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Android P’s top 5 features

  • 9 July 2018
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Android P’s top 5 features
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Android P is the most interesting Android update in years, and it’s set to change the way we all use our Android smartphones. From new features to design tweaks, here’s what you need to know…



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The biggest change Android P will bring is new gesture controls – basically the way you move around your phone. The new controls are similar to iPhone X, but with an Android-flavoured twist.

Up to now, Android has been all about those three buttons: back, home, and multitask. Now you’ll be able to swipe up on the screen to juggle between apps easily.

Swiping up will show you every app you have open. From here, you can swipe right to scroll through these apps.

Currently, you scroll up and down to look through your apps. With Android P you’ll be scrolling right to left. While it may complicate things at first, the idea is that you won’t need to use on-screen buttons to navigate, and using your phone will feel more natural.

Ration your app use



The most curious feature of Android P is one that encourages you to use your phone less. Yep, you heard right. Android P will tell you how much time you spend on certain apps, and let you set time limits on how long you use them for. Think of it as self-imposed parental controls for adults.

For example, you could set yourself a maximum time limit of 30 minutes per day for your Facebook browsing. Once you’ve hit that limit, the app icon will go grey, and you won’t be able to open the app. Of course, you could still use the app if you really want to, by diving into the settings and modifying your limit.

Less of those annoying notifications


Pop-up notifications are great. They alert you on stuff you want to know about, like news alerts, or when someone likes your latest Instagram post. But they can be annoying when you receive too many of them.

Android P will make notifications more tolerable. For example, it’ll suggest you mute an app’s notifications if you regularly swipe them away. Now you’ll only see what you want to see.

You can also set the Do Not Disturb feature to completely block all notifications, and switch this feature on by putting your phone face down on a table. Peace at last.

All-round better


Android P has got the nail file out, ready to sand down those rough edges – Android’s icons are getting a more rounded look. The settings menu will also get an injection of colour to make your menus look more pleasant, so your Android experience will now look beautiful on the inside and the outside.


The search function has also been improved. Search results won’t just show you your apps, but will also suggest things you can do with them. So, searching for Twitter could provide a shortcut to the ‘Compose Tweet’ function, and so on.

Screenshot sureshot


Taking screenshots on Android is simple, yet fiddly. Well, the good news is, it’s getting better. With Android P you can now hold down the power button and then tap ‘Screenshot’. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to take screenshots the old way.

Editing screenshots will also be made easier. As soon as your screenshot is saved, you can draw, crop, and highlight screenshots before sharing them more easily than before.

I like the sound of this Android P. When can I try it?



The final version of Android P won’t be available until this autumn. A beta version is currently available from the Android beta website, however, this is a test version of the update, and may contain bugs and stability issues. You have been warned.

Have you dipped your toes into Android P waters? Then let us know what you think of it in the comments below.

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