No Chink In Android Q's Armour

THE UPCOMING, AND VASTLY IMPROVED, ANDROID OS FOCUSSES ON JUST THE RIGHT AREAS – PRIVACY, GESTURES, SMARTER AI AND DARK MODE

- Nidhi Singal

SOFTWARE updates for smartphones are not just about fixing bugs. They should also usher in a host of new features which will address all existing pain points and ensure a smooth, seamless experience. Although many swear by the iconic iOS, Android is the most popular operating system (OS) for smartphones today, and the major overhaul it is about to witness could enhance its performance by several notches. The final release of the new software is still a few months away, but Google has already released the Android Q Beta 3 for developers and early testers. As of now, it is far from perfect and all the features announced by Google are not live yet. However, we installed this version on Pixel 3 XL to get a glimpse of the new OS.

Dark Theme: Be it Apple’s Mojave OS, WhatsApp or Android Q, the dark mode has become a critical development area over the past couple of years. As the name suggests, it changes all white elements to solid black across the system. The white screen goes black; the black text appears white and all things in-between – system settings, phone app, calendar or even notifications – feature a dark background. It is undoubtedly more comfortable on the eyes, especially for night-time viewing. The dark mode is not turned on by default, though; it is hidden under Advanced Settings. However, there is one issue. Most applications, including some Google apps, still support white backgrounds. Hopefully, by the time Android Q officially rolls out, most of the apps will support the dark mode, resulting in a consistent experience. There is another plus. When you opt for this mode, fewer pixels are fired up on a large display, helping conserve battery life. Interestingly, the dark mode was auto-triggered when I turned on the battery saver mode on Pixel 3 XL.