With The launch of Google I/O and android 12 beta, may is already packed with developer news. Well, impressively, June has managed to keep up the pace. Perhaps the most interesting developer news of the month was the announcement that Windows 11 will support Android apps. There are some caveats to this, which we’ll discuss below. But it has the potential to open up a whole new market for Android developers, which is certainly worth watching. We also got Android 12 Beta2 and a new search tool built into Jetpack. Read on for the full scoop.
News and features from Android Authority
Android 12 Beta 2 is here, with a new design and privacy dashboard — the Android Agency’s coverage of Android 12 Beta 2. The second beta brings more privacy features, including a privacy dashboard and microphone/camera indicator, as well as simplified connectivity options. There are also many minor design tweaks, all of which you will find in this article.
Getting your hands on the Privacy Dashboard is one of the best new features in Android 12 — arguably the most prominent feature in the second beta. This is also relevant to developers, who should be aware of the new controls users have over Settings and data.
Microsoft has officially announced Windows 11, which will be available as a free upgrade this fall – bringing some interesting new features to gamers and those who like the frosted glass aesthetic. The biggest announcement, of course, is that the new operating system will be able to run Android apps “natively.” Interestingly, there won’t be a Google App Store to get them. Instead, you’ll need to download your app through Amazon’s AppStore. The resounding message for Android developers is that it’s time to stop ignoring the Amazon Store while you’re at it, and start thinking about how your apps work with the mouse and keyboard, and how you’re going to appeal to the desktop audience.
Microsoft engineers have confirmed that you can side-load Android APK on Windows 11 — good news for Android fans: you’ll also be able to install APK without Amazon being involved. However, how this affects the widest possible audience is still to be discovered.
News and features from Google
Build sophisticated search functionality with AppSearch – AppSearch has been added to the Alpha version of Jetpack. This is a search library on the device that can add powerful search capabilities to any application. This article explains what it can do and provides some useful guidance.
Android 12 Beta 2 Update – Just weeks after the first Beta was released, Google has followed up on the second iteration. There’s not a ton of content for developers to focus on, but it’s certainly worth checking out the full post that explains everything in more detail.