14 DAY TRIAL // Google has introduced a new feature to its Android mobile operating system, a tool that uses the proximity sensor to turn off ambient display. The feature was spotted in the second developer preview of Android O, according to a report.
At this point, it’s unclear when Google decided to add the new feature, as it wasn’t available in the first developer preview of Android O. The feature may have rolled out as a server-side update in the past few days.
The tool will allow the proximity sensor to turn off the Ambient Display of the device and thus prevent the screen from accidentally unlocking when placed in a pocket or a handbag. A similar feature is already available on Android, but the latest tool completely turns off the display when the sensor is covered.
Android O appears to be more streamlined
Samsung added a similar feature to its Galaxy devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but Google plans to bring the new tool to all smartphones running the latest Android version in the near future. In addition, the second Android O developer preview provides users with a more streamlined and minimalist user interface.
Google brought a number of changes and new features in Android O, including picture-in-picture mode and a redesigned battery management tool. Moreover, smartphones running Android O will have the capacity to categorize notifications using Notification Channels and a number of dots. In addition, mobile browser Chrome on Android O received adaptive icons and Google intends to replace its ionic gumdrop blob emojis with circular ones in the latest Android version.
A new copy and paste mode will also be introduced to change the way users copy bits of information on their smartphones. Google will also bring improvements in terms of app loading speed and boot times for Android O. The latest Android version also adds restrictions on background apps, to help users save battery life and prevent certain apps from slowing down the device.