Posted by Tram Bui, Developer Programs Engineer, Developer Relations
Google I/O 2024 was packed with the latest Android updates, giving you the knowledge and tools you need to build exceptional apps that delight users and stand out from the crowd.
Here are our top three announcements for building great apps from Google I/O 2024:
#1: Improving the user experience with Android 15
Android 15 introduces a range of improvements aimed at enhancing the user experience:
- Edge-to-edge screen: Take advantage of the standard from edge to edge experience that Android 15 delivers. Design interfaces that flow seamlessly to the edges of the screen, optimizing screen real estate and creating an immersive visual experience for users.
- Predictive back: Predictive return can improve the fluidity and intuitiveness of navigation. The system animations are no longer behind a Developer Option, meaning users can see useful preview animations. Predictive back support is available for both Compose and Views.
#2: Stylus support on large screens
Android's improved stylus support offers interesting possibilities:
- Stylus handwriting: Android now supports handwriting input in text fields for both Views and Compose. Users can seamlessly enter text with their stylus without having to switch input methods, which can provide a more natural and intuitive writing experience.
- Reduced stylus latency: To improve the responsiveness of stylus interactions, Android introduces two new APIs designed to reduce stylus latencyAndroid developers have had great success with our low latency libraries. With Infinite Painter, latency has been reduced by 5x, from 60-90ms to 8-16ms.
#3: Wear OS 5: Watch Face Size, Retention, and Performance
In the realm of Wear OSwe focus on energy savings and performance improvements:
- Improved watch face format: We have made improvements to the Watch face sizemaking it easier for developers to customize and optimize watch faces. These improvements can enable the creation of more responsive, visually appealing watch faces that delight users.
- Energy saving: Wear OS 5 prioritizes power efficiency and battery conservation. Now available in developer example Along with a new emulator, you can use these improvements to create Wear OS apps that deliver exceptionally long battery life without sacrificing functionality.
There you have it: the best updates from Google I/O 2024 to help you build great apps. Want to know more? Check out the full playlist for more insight into these announcements and other interesting updates revealed during Google I/O.