The current Android 8.0 Oreo operating system has yet to roll out on all Android devices, but Google already has something to show the public for the next OS version, the Android 9.0 P. The upcoming Android OS update, which has no official name as of date, has been recently teased by the search engine giant through the Android P developer preview. This is a sign that the Oreo's successor will be released soon, although Google must ensure that Android P will be stable prior to its final launch, thus there is a need for the early test version.
The Android P developer preview aims to identify the weak points of the operating system's current build, thus selected software developers and experts will be the first to try its features. The ninth Android update will succeed the Android 8.1 Oreo, and the former's experimental version will prove if the OS is all ready for a possible March release. The highlight of the developer preview would be the addition of display cutout APIs that will match the new Android-based smartphones with the notch area similar to Apple's iPhone X.
Ever since the 2017 iPhone flagship was released, many Android handsets have started to adapt a notch feature on the top display, not to mention an almost all-display front view. It appears that Google has already anticipated the arrival of new Android phones using the same iPhone X design, and the Android 9.0 P will be up for that huge change.
Another interesting change in the Android 9.0 P developer preview is the all-new message notification system. Google is said to be including a new Messaging Style notification system that allows users to reply to messages by just tapping on the notifications tab. This will bring convenience to the users as they will no longer have to go to the Messages app to reply. Images will also be displayed in the new notifications tab, making it easier for the users to identify the sources.
Google has yet to announce the release date of Android 9.0 P's final version. For now, the developer preview phase could take some time, and it is possible that another experimental version of the OS will be out, especially if the present build is found to be problematic.
