Google today released the fourth Developer Preview for Android N, the as-yet unnamed version of the next iteration of the firm's mobile operating system.
The final version of 'N' is right around the corner. Google has kept to its schedule of monthly Developer Preview releases, with one more slated for July and then the final version scheduled for Q3.
The firm promised that last month's Preview was "beta quality", and this month, the APIs have been finalized and developers can submit their 'N' apps to the Play Store. Of course, it's still a preview, so there are known issues. Here's what's still broken in build NPD56N:
Stability
- Users may encounter system instability (such as kernel panics and crashes).
Launcher
- The default launcher’s All Apps tray may become unresponsive after cycling the screen off and on. Returning to the homescreen and relaunching theAll Apps tray may resolve this issue.
Setup Wizard
- Crash on selecting "Not now" in "Set up email" screen.
Media
- Media playback may be unreliable on Nexus 9 and Nexus Player, including issues playing HD video.
- Occasional freeze when running the YouTube app with other apps in multi-window mode on Pixel C devices. In some cases hard reboot is required.
- Apps may have issues playing some Widevine DRM-protected content on Nexus 9 devices.
- Issues handling VP8 video on Nexus 9 devices.
External storage
- Apps may become unstable when the user moves them from internal storage to adoptable external storage (this can include SD card or devices attached over USB).
Screen zoom and multiple APKs in Google Play
- On devices running Android N, Google Play services 9.0.83 incorrectly reports the current screen density rather than the stable screen density. When screen zoom is enabled on these devices, this can cause Google Play to select a version of a multi-APK app that’s designed for smaller screens. This issue is fixed in the next version of Google Play services and will be included in a later Developer Preview release.
Vulkan support and multiple APKs in Google Play
- On devices running Android N, Google Play services 9.0.83 currently reports Vulkan support but not Vulkan version. This can cause Google Play to select a version of a multi-APK app that’s designed for lower Vulkan support on devices with higher version support. Currently, the Google Play Store does not accept uploads of apps which use Vulkan version targeting. This support will be added to the Google Play Store in the future and fixed in the next version of Google Play services (to be included in a later Developer Preview release). Any N devices using the version of Google Play services 9.0.83 will continue to receive versions of apps targeting basic Vulkan support.
Accessibility
- Switch access doesn't allow user to navigate web pages in Chrome.
- Accessibility issues for talkback users with notification dismissal, and wifi selection screen.
Android for Work
- Currently, CA certificates provisioned through DevicePolicyManager are not available to profiles other than the primary user/profile due to a preload issue. For example, this could prevent a user from connecting to a trusted server when in a Work profile. This issue will be resolved in the next Developer Preview.
Here are the fixes for issues reported by developers:
The active network state (NetworkInfo.getState() and NetworkInfo.getDetailedState()) might return incorrect values during some restricted background scenarios
Data Saver restricts the foreground MMS mobile network request (bug 208478)
Quick settings tiles and notifications sometimes unresponsive
Unable to dismiss Clock notifications
Duplication of bluetooth icon and other status icons
Additional bluetooth connectivity fixes
Google recommends that if you want to see the full list of fixes, visit the Issue Tracker.
The new build is available for all devices that were previously eligible, specifically the Nexus 5X, 6, 6P, 9, Player, Pixel C, General Mobile 4G, and even the Sony Xperia Z3. If you're already on the Preview, you can get the new Preview by checking for updates, or you can flash it.
Source: Android Developers
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