14 DAY TRIAL // With the final version of Android N just a few weeks away, Google has just launched Android N Developer Preview 4. It comes with final versions of the APIs developers use to build their applications.
Android N Developer Preview 4 has build number NPD56N, and it includes updated system images for all supported Preview devices, like the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9 (WiFi and LTE), Nexus Player, Pixel C, and the General Mobile 4G (Android One).
Preview 4 contains the final APIs, which are API level 4, and this means developers can now update their applications with support for N, without worrying that Google might make any major changes.
Developers can also submit apps to Google Play Store and wait for the final version of Android N to be launched.
Google has removed Launcher Shortcuts feature
The Android N Developer Preview also comes with the final API to Android Studio 2.1.2 and higher, which allows developers to use multi-window and picture-in-picture callbacks, as well as notification features.
However, it lacks one of the most interesting features that appeared in earlier versions (including Preview 2), namely support for pressure-sensitive screens.
Google’s “Launcher Shortcuts” would have been the Android version of 3D Touch, featured on some of Apple’s iPhones. Google seems to have changed its mind since the second beta version of Android N and removed the feature from its latest build.
It was said that Google might provide a hint regarding the name of Android N (most likely Nutella) in this developer preview, but all that we got was a funny Easter egg. When users tap the about section in settings multiple times and then tap on the N logo, the following text appears: “Namey McNameface.”
The final SDK for Android N is now available for download through the SDK Manager in Android Studio.