Android developer news and features round-up: May 2019

This month we’re dealing with the fallout from Google I/O 2019. The conference brought with it many new announcements that will directly affect both developers and users. But Google has hardly been quiet since then, bringing changes to the Play Store, updating Jetpack, and releasing Android Studio 3.5. For the full scoop, read below as always!

Features and news from Android Authority

Android Q (Beta 3): Everything you need to know – This post has been updated to reflect the news from Google I/O and the latest new features in Beta 3.

Google I/O 2019: Everything announced – For those that couldn’t be there in person, this post explores everything major that was announced at Google I/O this year.

Introducing Gradle for new Android developers – The master builder – A quick tutorial looking at the role of Gradle in Android development for new coders.

Google Play Store gives ‘star-stuck’ app ratings a nudge – If your app has been sitting in “ratings purgatory” with just two stars despite significant recent improvements, then good news: Google is about to skew the scores to emphasize the most recent results. This post explains in more detail while also describing some more new tools and features that should help developers to improve their apps’ standing in the Play Store.

Android camera apps are about to get a lot better – CameraX is a new API that will provide developers with easy access to powerful functionality in camera applications. Using plug-and-play modules, they’ll be able to preview live images, access machine learning for computer vision, and more.

Google tasks Android developers to focus on privacy and security – Hopefully good news for users, Google is once again emphasizing the importance of security. Here’s what you need to know.

News and updates from Android Developers Blog

What’s new in Android: Q Beta 3 & more – Google goes over the many new features coming to Android Q (again!). That includes things like Project Mainline which will allow security updates and more to be managed directly through Google Play. Suggested actions in Android Pie meanwhile will allow users to engage with apps using system-provided smart replies. And then of course there’s the Dark Theme!

Improved app quality and discovery on Google Play – Some tips from Google on how to improve your app’s visibility and discoverability in the Play Store. You’ve done the hard work, so make sure that you get rewarded for it!

Building a safer Google Play for kids – Continuing the theme of overhauling the Play Store, Google is now focussing more attention on making it a safer place for kids. This means a little extra vigilance for devs, such as completing the new target audience and content section of the Play Console. All is explained in the post.

Wide color photos are coming to Android: Things you need to know to be prepared – Exactly what it says on the tin!

Kotlin is everywhere! Join the global event series – Google is strengthening its commitment to Kotlin, making Android development “increasingly Kotlin first”. This should prove popular as over 50% of the Android development community reportedly use the language.

What’s new in Android Q Security – As we’ve already mentioned, Google is making security a priority for developers over the coming months. This means a number of interesting new security measures that devs should bring themselves up to speed on – such as expansions to the BiometricPrompt API and Adiantum designed to provide extra encryption.

What’s new with Android Jetpack and Jetpack Compose – Google runs through 11 new and updated Jetpack libraries.

Android Studio 3.5 Beta – Devs can now download Android Studio 3.5 in beta. Get a run-down of updates and new features here.

Features and projects from around the web

Android Jetpack Compose: Sneak peak into the future of Android UI – A look at what Compose means for UI design on Android.

Gesture Navigation – Window insets – Some interesting discussion regarding the implications of gesture navigation.

iPadOS and 9 changes it brings – Google isn’t the only one adding new features and functionality to its OS. Apple has been on it too, and it’s worth being aware of these even if you’re Android-only!

An introduction to CameraX – A more in-depth look at the new camera API.

What’s new with Kotlin for Android developers – With Kotlin increasingly becoming flavour of the month, now is as good a time as any to brush up on your skills!