Google releases AI-packed Android 9 Pie
San Francisco, Aug 7 : Google has released its latest version of Android Operating System -- Android 9 Pie, which harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to predict how users would like to experience their devices while offering a smoother navigation system and an easier way to track and limit usage of apps.
It comes with features like Adaptive Battery, which learns the apps you use most and prioritises battery for them, Google said in a statement on Monday.
Another interesting feature that Android 9 Pie brings is Adaptive Brightness, which learns how you like to set the brightness in different settings, and does it for you.
"Android 9 aims to make your phone even smarter by learning from you and adapting to your usage patterns," said Sameer Samat, Vice President of Product Management, Android and Google Play.
"It also helps you get things done faster, like predicting what you will want to do next based on your context and displaying that action right on your phone," Samat said, adding that the company was working to add key capabilities right into Android to help people achieve the balance with technology they are looking for.
At Google developers conference in May, Google previewed digital wellbeing features for Android including a new Dashboard that shows time spent on the device; an App Timer that lets users set time limits on apps and greys out the icon on the home screen when the time is up.
Google said "Digital Wellbeing" is now available in beta for Pixel phones running Android 9, and will be officially available in the next few months.
It will be coming to Android One and other devices later in 2018, the tech giant added.
Android 9 features a new system navigation featuring a single, clean home button. Users can swipe up to see a newly designed "Overview", the place where you have at-a-glance full-screen previews of your last used apps.
The "Smart Text Selection" feature is designed to make switching between apps easier.
Google said Android P also brings a redesigned Quick Settings that offers among other things a better way to take and edit screenshots, simplified volume controls, and an easier way to manage notifications.
"With Android 9 we have made software more secure from Code-reuse attacks, and installed features which add a layer of security to biometrics," Google said.
Android 9 also has features to improve your privacy and security of sensitive data like credit card information, according to Google.
"Starting today, an over-the-air update to Android 9 will begin rolling out to Pixel phones," Google said on Monday.
Devices that participated in the Beta programme from Sony Mobile, Xiaomi, HMD Global, Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus, and Essential Phones, as well as all qualifying Android One devices, will receive this update by the end of 2018, it added.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
VHP warns of statewide stir in Karnataka against move to ease cattle transport law
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The VHP on Saturday demanded the immediate withdrawal of a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, accusing the state government of weakening a law that has deterred illegal cattle transport.
The organisation's Go Raksha Wing, Karnataka South, has also announced district-level protests on December 8.
According to officials, the existing law mandates a bank guarantee for securing the release of vehicles seized for alleged illegal cattle transportation.
On December 4, the state Cabinet proposed an amendment enabling the release of such vehicles on an indemnity bond instead.
Addressing reporters in Udupi, VHP leader and Prantha Goraksha Pramukh Sunil K R, said the government's move amounted to "sympathy for cattle lifters" and claimed that it was part of broader actions "targeting Hindus".
He argued that the law in its current form is stringent and has played a crucial role in reducing incidents of illegal cattle transport and theft.
Under the Act, vehicles involved in offences can be surrendered and, upon conviction, permanently seized by authorities. "Diluting these provisions will embolden offenders," Sunil said.
The VHP leader warned that easing the process of vehicle release would not only encourage violators but also result in rising cruelty against cattle.
Sunil further claimed that the strict enforcement of the 2020 law had brought down cases of cattle-related offences significantly. Rolling back these provisions, he said, could reverse those gains and would lead to an increase in illegal transport.
He reiterated that the government must reconsider its decision and preserve the integrity of the existing law.
