The string of iOS updates is storming and the Apple loyals are vibin to the tune of Apple. We’ve seen almost 5 solid updates from Apple’s iOS since last September and just one from Google’s Android. The latest Google Android 11 was rolled-out to public users on September 2020 and have received mixed responses. However, expectations on the internet giant’s upcoming OS update sure have a lot of eager eyes waiting.

When is Android 12 coming up?

At the moment, we do not have a decisive date for the release of Android 12. However, the pre-release drill of Google includes a Developer Preview, Beta, Beta Stable Platform and the stable Android release.

From the history of Google’s releases, we understand that the Developer Preview of Android 12 would ideally fall on February. From the insider sources, we hear the Developer Preview version of Android 12 will be making the first appearance on this week. As the name implies, this version is generally shared to the OEM Partners (smartphone manufacturers) to help them comply with the features, platform behaviors, and APIs.

Post this and other drills gradually over the first half of the year, we expect the stable version of Android 12 to be released by September 2021.

What is Android 12 called?

Google has traditionally known to name their Android version on the names of a dessert. This gesture from Google has cultivated a separate fanbase always excited to know the name of the upcoming Android version. So, the Android enthusiasts are desperate to hear it first than the upcoming features.

But, since the release of Android 10 in 2019, Google has named their Android OS with just the version number at the suffix. The pattern seems to continue for the upcoming release too. However, we’ve managed to pull the insider information on how the upcoming Android version is called internally. Almost all our sources confirm it as ‘Snow Cone’. So, you’re hearing it first from us, it’s Android Snow Cone!

What’s coming up on Android 12?

Google has fairly provided interesting updates with all of its new Android upgrade. This season too, the reports are impressively in favor of the Google fanatics. Some of the key items are listed in below for you:

The UI revamps

Google has been one of the pioneers if not the owner of Material design philosophy. The deeper and rich colors of Google’s design philosophy have been a crucial factor in the success of Google’s appeal. However, keeping in mind about their appeal for the upcoming features (including always-on display), Google has been working on a new UI philosophy which is now dubbed as Material NEXT.

Though the exact core principle of Material NEXT is unknown at the moment, we are informed about the various appealing changes Google plans to roll-out. Such attempts include thinner horizontal margins on the notification panel, an opaque-and-color responsive notification tray, enlarged Quick Setting icons, etc.

Always-on Display and Lock Screen

While there are already enough rumors on always-on display (AOD) models from Apple later this year, it has come as a surprise for Android users that the upcoming Android 12 may feature an always-on display.

With the AODs, the layout of the lock screen too is expected to have a total redesign including the notification, clock and time, media player layouts. While we may not have any idea about how such an attempt would benefit considering the battery usage, it is going to be an interesting competition between Apple and Google to make a mark.

Widgets and notifications

Apple’s iOS 14 widgets have been making news since its inception. However, Google stole the show with its impressive widgets for its iOS apps. While for Android, Google has already brought-in chat heads for conversations, with Android 12, a widget that combines all the conversations with your friends is planned from the looks of it. The notification and shortcuts to such utility widgets too for this is expected to spring surprises for the Android users.

Privacy indicators

There are many incidents when Apple and Google had taken inspiration from each other in developing their respective products. But a banter amongst the fans on this topic is a never-ending debate and to add a new entry into list is the camera and microphone usage indicators. Apple introduced green and orange light to indicate the usage in its new iOS 14 and Google seem to follow the trend in same fashion.

Basically, users will be indicated with a color dot when any of the apps uses the camera or microphone and users can view which apps is using or recently used them.

Split screen usage and one-hand mode

With the tabs and mobile phones taking a meaty share of productivity of late, Google plans to provide the users to split-screen the mobile devices for multi-tasking between two apps. Though not every app can be used simultaneously, established app pairs are soon to be developed to share permissions for a smooth usage.

Also, the new optimized OS for supporting multiple layout/orientation well may include support for a minimized screen usage which would shrink down to 40% of the screen to aid one-hand usage for users.

Scrolling screenshots

As the name implies, the capability to take screenshot of an entire screen running across pages has been long due. Google was earlier expected to bring in this feature in Android 11, yet due to some reasons, the feature is coming up in Android 12.

Along with the above listed cool features, there are many more exciting features lined up. Stay tuned with us to hear it first.

Note: Though Google hasn't announced any of the features or the capabilities officially yet, the leaks from the document shared from Google hints us on the following exciting updates. Please do understand that we will know or can confirm if these are true only when Google announces it officially.