Android 12, the big star of the Google I / O conference

Like Apple with its keynotes, Google takes advantage of its conferences Google I / O to unveil its big novelties, and Tuesday, the star was Android 12. Beta is available for testers, and the two big themes are personalization and security. These are the two objectives of Google which recalls that its operating system is installed on three billion devices!

For personalization, Google introduces the notion of Material You, and it is about creating a Android which looks and adapts to its user but also to its environment. Google even claims that Android 12 includes the biggest design change in Android history. Reserved for Pixel from theautumn, this OS will offer a range of colors personalized and widgets redesigned. From the background image you choose, all the colors will adapt to it. The same goes for the entire operating system with notifications, the lock screen, the controls for volume, the new widgets …

Faster access to the most useful functions

Google also ensures that devices running Android 12 are now faster and more reagents through optimization of system resources. Here is an example: Google promises up to 22% of the access time of the processor for basic system services. Always on the reactivity side, the lock screen displays a lot more, and clearly, it reminds iOS with more visible notifications, quick access to the main functions; it now includes Google Play and the control of connected objects. In the same vein, a long press on the power button launches the Assistant to make a phone call, open applications, ask questions or read aloud articles containing text.

For the security part and especially privacy, Android 12 promises full control over personal data, and especially more transparency. Both from the operating system, but also from applications. For this, we discover a new control center that offers a quick and complete view of the authorization parameters as well as the data you access, how often and through which applications. This dashboard also makes it easy to change app permissions.

Better control of personal data

In the same spirit, Android 12 is enriched with a new icon, located at the top right of the status bar: it alerts you when an application accesses your microphone or your camera. And if you want to remove app access to these sensors for the whole system, there is now quick access. As for geolocation, Android now offers an “approximate” location and takes the example of weather : « Weather apps don’t need your exact location to provide an accurate forecast ».

The whole is obviously “boosted” byArtificial intelligence, whether it is to improve searches, audio and video recording, or even security. For availability, it will be in the fall with, first of all Google devices, and therefore the new Pixel. As for Android 11, the other manufacturers will have to wait a few more weeks with a deployment that can be longer or shorter depending on the brand.