Google just recently rolled out the developer preview of their latest mobile operating system version, Android 8.0 "O." The update itself brings with it a myriad of exciting new changes to the entire system, which also includes improvements to existing features found on Android 7.0 Nougat.

As for the official name of the new Android version, what the "O" stands for is still pretty much unknown. However, a report from GigJets claims that the letter could stand for "Oreo." The publication even started to call it as Android 8.0 Oreo, but again that isn't really final until Google says it is.

Some of the features that are completely new to Android include the new picture-in-picture mode, which is basically what the latest version of iOS offers. It allows users to watch videos while also opening and interacting with other applications. Another feature that is also in iOS is the new app notification badges, which basically overlays a number on the top of the app's icon indicating the number of pending notifications.

As reported by BGR, Android 8.0 also comes with a myriad of new tweaks that are all aimed to improve the device's battery life. Additionally, the operating system also now supports a number of enterprise-oriented APIs that should make it easier for app developers.

Several devices already have the ability to download and try out the latest beta version of Android 8.0. This includes smartphones such as the Nexus Player, the Nexus 6P, the Nexus 5X, the Pixel C, and both the new Google Pixel flagships. Being in its beta stage, the new operating system version will still have a few bugs and glitches, but that is to be expected.

Those who don't have the compatible phones mentioned above can still download the OTA update for Android 8.0 on Google's official Android Website. The public version of Android 8.0 is expected to be announced sometime after the upcoming Google I/O 2017 event in May.

Related