With the release of Android 8.0 Oreo, Google brings a host of exciting new features and functionality to its mobile operating system. Whether you’re a longtime Android user or new to the platform, mastering the latest update can greatly enhance your smartphone experience.
In this article, we will explore a variety of tips and tricks to help you make the most out of Android 8.0 Oreo. From improved notification controls to enhanced battery life, there are plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. So, whether you want to optimize your device’s performance, explore the new picture-in-picture mode, or secure your data with enhanced privacy settings, we’ve got you covered.
So, let’s dive into the world of Android 8.0 Oreo and unlock the full potential of your mobile device!
Inside This Article
- Customizable Navigation Bar
- Picture-in-Picture Mode
- Improved Battery Life
- Notification Channels
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Customizable Navigation Bar
One of the exciting features introduced in Android 8.0 Oreo is the ability to customize the navigation bar. The navigation bar, located at the bottom of the screen, typically consists of the back, home, and recent apps buttons. With the new update, users can now personalize this essential navigation tool to suit their preferences and enhance their smartphone experience.
To customize the navigation bar, follow these simple steps:
- Go to “Settings” on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap on “System”.
- Select “Gestures”.
- Choose “System navigation”.
- Here, you’ll find three navigation options: “Gesture navigation,” “2-button navigation,” and “3-button navigation.”
If you prefer a gesture-based navigation system, select “Gesture navigation.” This option gets rid of the traditional buttons and allows you to navigate through your device using gestures such as swiping up from the bottom of the screen to go home or swiping sideways to switch between recent apps.
If you prefer a combination of buttons and gestures, choose “2-button navigation.” This setting combines the home and back buttons on the navigation bar, and you can swipe up from the center to access recent apps.
For those who prefer the classic navigation bar with the back, home, and recent apps buttons, select “3-button navigation.” This will restore the familiar navigation bar layout.
Furthermore, Android 8.0 Oreo allows you to rearrange the order of the buttons on the navigation bar. To do this, go back to the “System navigation” menu and select “Button order.” Simply drag and drop the buttons in the order you prefer.
Customizing the navigation bar adds a personal touch to your device and allows for more efficient navigation. Whether you opt for gestures or prefer the traditional buttons, Android 8.0 Oreo offers a customizable solution to enhance your smartphone experience.
Picture-in-Picture Mode
One of the most exciting features of Android 8.0 Oreo is the Picture-in-Picture mode. This feature allows you to continue watching a video or using a video chat app while using other apps on your phone. Picture-in-Picture mode essentially shrinks the video into a smaller floating window that can be moved around the screen and positioned as desired.
To activate Picture-in-Picture mode, simply open an app that supports it, such as YouTube or Google Duo. Start playing a video or initiate a video call, and then press the home button. The video will shrink into a small window, which can be dragged around the screen and resized by pinching or stretching. You can even close the floating window by swiping it off the screen.
Picture-in-Picture mode is particularly useful when you want to multitask on your phone. For example, you can watch a tutorial video while taking notes in a separate app, or keep up with a video call while checking emails or browsing the web. It provides a seamless and convenient way to stay productive and entertained at the same time.
Furthermore, Android 8.0 Oreo allows you to customize the behavior of Picture-in-Picture mode. You can enable or disable the feature for specific apps, and even control whether the video continues playing in the background when you switch to another app. This level of flexibility ensures that you have full control over how you utilize Picture-in-Picture mode on your device.
Improved Battery Life
One of the most significant enhancements in Android 8.0 Oreo is the improved battery life. With this update, Google has introduced several features that intelligently optimize power consumption, leading to longer battery life on your Android device.
One of the key features that contribute to improved battery life is the introduction of Background Execution Limits. In previous versions of Android, apps could run in the background indefinitely, consuming precious battery power. With Android 8.0, background apps are subject to stricter limits, ensuring that only essential processes and services continue to run in the background. This helps reduce battery drain and improves overall battery performance.
In addition to Background Execution Limits, Android 8.0 Oreo also introduces new battery-saving restrictions for background processes. These restrictions prevent apps from frequently waking up the device, thus minimizing unnecessary battery usage. This is particularly beneficial for apps that tend to run in the background, such as messaging and social media apps, as it reduces their impact on battery life.
Another useful feature that helps improve battery life is Adaptive Battery. Powered by machine learning, Adaptive Battery analyzes your usage patterns and prioritizes power only for the apps and services that you use frequently. This ensures that unnecessary background processes are minimized, resulting in better battery efficiency.
Android 8.0 Oreo also includes a Battery Saver mode that you can manually activate to further extend your device’s battery life. When enabled, Battery Saver mode limits background processes, reduces device performance, and restricts app and data usage. It’s especially handy when you’re running low on battery and need to make it last longer.
Lastly, Android 8.0 Oreo offers improved battery usage statistics. The new Battery section in the Settings menu provides detailed information about the apps and services that consume the most power. This allows you to identify power-hungry apps and make informed decisions about which ones to optimize or limit, enabling you to maximize your device’s battery life.
With these battery-saving features in Android 8.0 Oreo, you can enjoy longer battery life on your Android device without compromising performance. Whether you’re a heavy user or just looking to make your battery last throughout the day, the improved battery life in Android 8.0 Oreo ensures that you can stay connected for longer periods without worrying about running out of power.
Notification Channels
Android 8.0 Oreo introduces a new feature called Notification Channels, which gives users more control over their app notifications. With Notification Channels, you can customize the way notifications are displayed and prioritize them based on your preference.
To access Notification Channels, go to your phone’s settings and select “Apps & notifications.” From there, choose an app and you’ll see the option to manage its notification channels.
Each notification channel represents a specific category of notifications from an app. For example, a messaging app might have separate channels for new messages, group chats, and message alerts.
By having separate channels, you can individually control the behavior of each category, such as the sound, vibration, or LED light settings for notifications. This allows you to fine-tune your notification experience to match your needs.
For instance, if you use a social media app, you can adjust the settings for notifications from friends, comments, or likes. You can prioritize important notifications by assigning them a higher importance level, ensuring they are displayed prominently and not lost amongst other less important notifications.
Notifications can also be blocked or silenced from specific channels. This means that you have the ability to turn off notifications for certain categories while still receiving notifications from other channels.
Additionally, Android 8.0 Oreo allows you to set different notification behavior for different scenarios. For example, you can choose to automatically enable or disable certain notification channels when your phone is on silent mode or connected to your car’s Bluetooth.
With Notification Channels, Android 8.0 Oreo offers a more customizable and organized approach to managing app notifications. You have the power to personalize your notification settings, making sure that you only receive the notifications that matter to you, while avoiding unnecessary distractions.
To take full advantage of Notification Channels, explore the settings of your favorite apps and customize the notifications to your liking. By doing so, you can curate your notification experience and have a more streamlined and focused smartphone experience.
Conclusion
Android 8.0 Oreo has brought a multitude of exciting features and improvements to the world of mobile technology. With its enhanced performance, improved security features, and handy tools, Oreo offers a seamless user experience for Android device users.
By taking advantage of the tips and tricks mentioned in this article, you can maximize your Oreo experience and make the most out of this latest update. From utilizing the Picture-in-Picture mode to managing app notifications and customizing your home screen, there are numerous ways to enhance your productivity and personalize your device.
Whether you’re a seasoned Android enthusiast or someone new to the Android ecosystem, exploring the depth of what Android 8.0 Oreo has to offer is undoubtedly worth your time. So, dive in, experiment, and make the most of the features available at your fingertips.
With Android 8.0 Oreo, Google has once again raised the bar for mobile operating systems, bringing us closer to a more seamless and intuitive digital experience.
FAQs
1. What is Android 8.0 Oreo?
Android 8.0 Oreo is the eighth major update of the Android operating system developed by Google. It introduces new features, enhancements, and improvements to provide a smoother and more efficient user experience on compatible Android devices.
2. What are the key features of Android 8.0 Oreo?
Some key features of Android 8.0 Oreo include picture-in-picture mode, notification dots for easier app management, autofill for faster form filling, improved battery life with background limits, and enhanced security with features like Google Play Protect and stricter app permissions.
3. How do I enable picture-in-picture mode in Android 8.0 Oreo?
To enable picture-in-picture mode in Android 8.0 Oreo, open the app you want to use in picture-in-picture mode. Then, tap the Home button. The app will shrink and continue to play in a small window while you navigate to other apps or perform other tasks on your device.
4. Can I customize the notification dots in Android 8.0 Oreo?
Unfortunately, you cannot customize the notification dots in Android 8.0 Oreo. They are automatically generated by the system to provide a visual indicator of unread notifications for each app. However, you can long-press on the notification dot to view a preview of the notification or swipe it away to dismiss it.
5. How do I enable autofill in Android 8.0 Oreo?
To enable autofill in Android 8.0 Oreo, go to Settings, then tap on “System” and select “Languages & input”. Under the “Advanced” section, tap on “Autofill service”. Choose your preferred autofill service or enable the default Autofill with Google. The selected service will now automatically fill in forms with your saved information, making form filling faster and more convenient.
