The second developer preview for Android N, the next version of Google's mobile operating system, is now available.
Available for the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9 and Pixel C tablet, the preview includes the usual bug fixes and security updates. But it also brings a few new features, as detailed on the Android Developers Blog.
One new feature is called "launcher shortcuts," which lets you create a shortcut on the home screen for a specific task to perform actions quicker. For instance, you could create a launcher shortcut to send a specific person a text message, play the next episode of a TV show in a video app or navigate home in Google Maps. Launcher apps are similar to the Tasks Edge shortcuts in the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and a nice alternative to the iPhone 6S and 6S's 3D Touch shortcuts.
Developer Preview 2 also includes support for new Unicode 9 emojis. Emojis will look "more human-looking" and you'll now be able to pick different skin tones. Also, bacon, selfie and face palm emojis! Hell yeah!
Additionally, there are new API changes for refined multi-window support and Vulkan, a new 3D rendering API for improved graphics performance for heavy-hitting apps like 3D games.
To get the second developer preview for Android N, you need to enroll your device in the Android Beta Program and opt-in to receive over-the-air updates. You can also download and flash the update manually, but you should only go this route if you have experience tinkering with Android (a wrong step could brick your device).
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