Google releases Android N preview, hello split screen
Culture
It's time to take a peak at the next version of Android.
I'm [UNKNOWN] Carry, this is your update.
[MUSIC]
Android users, get ready for Split screen on your smart phone.
Google revealed the next flavor of Android software.
Right now code named Android N. Only software developers get the chance to tinker with it now since it's unfinished.
But the big new features include Split screen for working on two apps at once on a phone or tablet.
Also, there is picture in picture mode so you can view a video in a small box in the corner of the screen.
And that let's you do things like check email while still watching your show.
Some Apple devices and Samsung phones have had these features already.
But You know playing catch up is all part of the game between these companies.
The notification bar is also getting tweaked.
If you get a message alert, you can type your reply right inside the alert.
An Apple's IOS also has a similar feature.
Perhaps battery life will get a boost with improvements to the dows power saver.
Now normally Google likes to unveil the next version of its operating systems at the I/O Developer's Conference.
But Google's trying something different this time.
Releasing it before the conference.
Which isn't until May.
Now it's not easy for Google to get its new software on every Android device when you have.
So many makers of phones.
Google's Nexus devices do get them first.
But only 2% of Android users right now are running the latest Android 6.0 marshmallow.
Most,m about 35% are still on 4.4 Kit Kat.
Which is more than two years old.
These systems always get named after sweet treats so we'll have to wait and see what N will stand for.
Maybe something with nougat or good old stuck in your teeth nut brittle.
While Android improves, so does Google's artificial intelligence computer, AlphaGo, created by Google's DeepMind Team.
AlphaGo is doing something no other computer can do.
And that's beat humans at the most complicated board game.
The ancient Chinese game of Go.
The game may look simple with black and white stones, but it is complicated for a computer.
Because, there are more possible moves than there are atoms in the universe.
10 to the power of 170.
And instead of processing each possible outcome, because that would take forever, a computer just sort of needs to place Smart.
Alphago defeated the world champion, Lee Sedol, the top Go player in the past decade in the first of five matches.
The battles are taking place now in Seoul, South Korea and they're being live streamed on YouTube.
It goes on through Monday.
No pressure Se-dol, it's just the future of humanity that rests in your hands.
That's it for this tech news update.
You can head to cnet.com for more.
From our studios in New York, I'm Bridget Carey
