Roger Fingas
Google will showcase and possibly launch the next version of Android, "Android O," on August 21 — setting the stage for competition with Apple's iOS 11, which should come to iPhones and iPads as soon as next month.
Google has introduced a countdown site for an event in New York City, themed around the solar eclipse taking place the same day. A livestream of the Android O debut is scheduled for 2:40 p.m. Eastern time, 11:40 a.m. Pacific.
Even if the software doesn't become available on Monday, Google is likely to launch it shortly thereafter, since the company has promised a "summer" deadline and there have already been several beta revisions.
The finished update will bring a variety of changes to Android, such as improved battery and bootup performance, a streamlined Settings menu, and iPhone-style app badges called "notification dots." For video the OS will finally get native picture-in-picture support, instead of requiring third-party extensions.
iOS 11 will likely make a September debut alongside the "iPhone 8," and include features like a Files app, augmented reality support, and new graphics and audio standards. The biggest changes are coming to the iPad, which will offer a Mac-like dock, more advanced multitasking, and drag-and-drop commands.
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67 Comments
Apple will keep on letting Google to copycat. It actually protects Apple from being used for anti-trusts.
Android Zero! Sounds about right.
And the Fragmentation continues....
So in other words, only about 15% of Android users will get the new update.