2017 Aug 22
While everyone else had their attention focused on the solar eclipse, Google made use of the event to host an Eclipse-themed Android 8.0 launch in New York City. Much speculation was put to rest what they announced Android “O’s” full name: “Android 8.0, Oreo.”
Since Android 1.5 Cupcake, Google has used alphabetically ordered “sweet” themed names for its Android versions, the three most recent being Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat.
Google also showed off the official statue for the new Android OS, as it does with every new version and with Android 8.0 Oreo came a superhero-themed statue of an Android Oreo mascot wearing a cape.
Thanks to several developer preview releases, we know quite a lot about what’s going to be in Android 8.0 Oreo. The update includes a big revamp of the notification panel, with a new layout, colors, and features, like “snoozing.”
They will also cut down on background apps for better performance and battery life. There are new, updatable emoji, a faster startup time, all new settings, and plenty of security enhancements, including the new “Google Play Protect” malware system.
Most importantly, Android 8.0 brings Project Treble to new devices, a modularization of the OS away from the hardware, which should make it easier to develop and introduce new Android updates to the market.
However, if you do not own a Google phone, it may take a while for the update to be available.
