Huawei could be the first OEM to start testing Android O

Apr 12, 2017 10:58 GMT  ·  By

Last month, Google launched the first Developer Preview of Android O, while some Pixel and Nexus smartphones already run on the latest Android version. But a recent report reveals that Huawei could be the first non-Google OEM to start testing the version for its smartphones.

Huawei apparently chose the Mate 9 for testing Android O, as revealed by internal builds of Android O for its premium smartphone. Huawei is now working towards baking Android O features into its EMUI interface.

Sadly, the recent internal builds do miss some important features that would improve user experience. The Google Play Store doesn’t work on the latest Android O version running on Mate 9, unless users sideload Google Play Services after installing the test build.

Huawei’s Android O build comes in two languages

Moreover, there are two languages offered with the Android O build, English and Chinese (Mandarin). Fortunately, Huawei added several new file apps and developer options on the Mate 9. With this move, Huawei is aiming at being the first non-Google Android OEM to offer the new OS version to its smartphones, after Google officially announces Android O.

Huawei’s Android O build for Mate 9 has many features found on Google’s latest Android version, including picture-in-picture mode, which allows users to watch a video, while working on another app in the background.

Aside from this mode, Android O could also feature disappearing notifications. Developers will have the chance to set a timer for notifications and have them automatically disappear when the time is up, unless the user actually interacts with them.

In addition, Google intends to introduce improvements to smartphone battery life and performance, as well as visual and grouping tools. Adaptive icons is a new addition, allowing icons to be displayed in a more dynamic way, using visual effects. The settings menu will see a different layout and similar items bundled into one. All Android O features and its name will be revealed later this year, when the new Android version launches to Pixel smartphones first.