Google has introduced the latest version of Android Q operating system which is claimed to be safer and respect the privacy of its users, especially in terms of location tracking.
“The operating system is not yet the official version, but it is still Beta 1 and is available to developers. Android Q Beta 1 can already be run on Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones,” said Dave Burke, Google’s Vice President of Engineering, on Google’s official blog.
According to Burke, this year’s innovation of mobile devices is more varied than before with new 5G technology to folding screens.
“Android is right in the middle of the innovation and thanks to the vast ecosystem of billions of devices,” he said.
Android Q brings privacy and security features
Android Q presents some additional privacy and security features for users, as well as improvements to folding screen devices, new APIs for connectivity, new media codecs, camera capabilities, NNAPI extensions, Vulkan 1.1 support, and faster application opening.
The new Android, continued Burke, has been designed with security and privacy as the main thing.
With the growing maturity of Android, Google has added various features to protect users, such as file-based encryption, OS controls that place applications must ask permission when accessing sensitive resources.
Then locks the camera/mic background access, locking mode, encrypted backup, and Google Play Protect that scans more than 50 billion applications a day to ensure the application is safe for the user’s smartphone system.
“On Android Q, we have made more improvements to protect our users. Many of these improvements are part of our work at Project Strobe,” Burke said.
More control over location access
Android Q also gives users more control over the location. This operating system helps users have more control when the application requests location access. All applications will get access to the location after getting permission from the user.
In fact, users can allow or not allow an application to access the location either when the application is run or not.
“Beyond location change, we are making further updates to ensure transparency, give users control, and secure personal data,” Burke said.
Control over the application
Android Q also gives users more control over the application, controlling access to shared files. Users will be able to control application access to photos and videos or Audio collections through a new runtime permission.
For downloads, the application must use the system file selector, which allows users to decide which download files the application can access.
For developers, there are changes to how applications can use shared areas on external storage.
Google allows developers to download and try Android Q Beta 1 and expect feedback if they find a weakness in the system (bug).
