A month after releasing the first Developer Preview of Android N, Google has returned with an updated version of the upcoming software. On Wednesday, Google made the second Android N Developer Preview available online and as an over-the-air update for Android Beta Program participants.
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Now that you know the second Developer Preview exists, you’re probably wondering what’s new. To start with, Google has added a new 3D rendering API called Vulkan which provides GPU control to developers and offers a significant performance boost for applications that require more power.
Previewers will also be able to check out app launcher shortcuts in the new update. According to Google, “these shortcuts contain an Intent into specific points within your app (like sending a message to your best friend, navigating home in a mapping app, or playing the next episode of a TV show in a media app).”
Finally, Google is making its emoji look less like weird blobs and more like humans with Emoji Unicode 9 support. “If you’re a keyboard or messaging app developer, you should start incorporating these emoji into your apps,” Google suggests.
There are also several API changes and bug fixes present within the new Preview, but you can read more about those on the Developers Blog.
