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.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
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.