With Google I/O and the Android 12 beta, May was jam-packed with developer news. It’s impressive, then, that June has managed to keep up the pace!
Perhaps the most interesting developer news this month was the announcement that Windows 11 will support Android apps. There are some caveats, which we will get into down below. But this potentially opens up an entirely new market for Android developers and is certainly worth paying attention to.
Meanwhile, we also got Android 12 beta 2, and new search tools built into Jetpack. Read on for the full scoop, as ever!
News and features from Android Authority
Android 12 beta 2 is here bringing new design and Privacy Dashboard with it — Android Authority’s coverage of Android 12 beta 2. The second beta brings more privacy features, including a privacy dashboard and mic/camera indicator, and simplified connectivity options. There are also plenty of smaller design tweaks, all of which you’ll find in this post.
Hands-on with Privacy Dashboard, one of Android 12’s best new features — The Privacy Dashboard is arguably the stand-out feature of the second beta. This is also relevant to devs that should understand the new control that users will have over various settings and data.
Microsoft officially announces Windows 11, coming this Fall as a free upgrade — Windows 11 brings some interesting new features for gamers and those that like the frosted-glass aesthetic. Surely the biggest announcement, though, is that the new operating system will be able to run Android apps “natively.” What’s interesting is that there will be no Google Play Store to get them from. Instead, you’ll need to download your apps through Amazon’s AppStore. The resounding message for Android developers is that it’s time to stop neglecting the Amazon store! While you’re at it, start thinking about how your app might work with a mouse and keyboard, and how you’re going to entice an audience of desktop users.
Microsoft engineer confirms you can sideload Android APKs on Windows 11 — This is good news for Android fans: you’ll also be able to install APKs without involving Amazon. How this affects the ability to reach the widest audience possible, however, remains for devs to discover.
News and features from Google
Build sophisticated search features with AppSearch — AppSearch has been added to Jetpack in Alpha. This is an on-device search library that can add powerful search functionality for any app. This post explains what it can do and provides some useful instruction.
Android 12 Beta 2 Update — Only a few weeks after the first beta, Google has already followed up with a second iteration. Not a huge amount to concern devs, but it’s certainly worth checking out the full post that explains everything in more detail.