The release of the eighth version of Google's mobile operating system was a turning point in the evolution of the platform. If previous updates focused on visual changes and adding superficial functions, then Android 8.0 brought fundamental changes in the architecture of application operation and resource management. This update, codenamed Oreo, was aimed at improving performance and battery life, which was a response to the growing demands of users for the stability of gadgets.
Many smartphone owners are still wondering: is this version relevant today and what changes has it made to the ecosystem? Treble Projectlaunched in this versions, separated low-level code from hardware manufacturers and Android system code, which theoretically speeded up the release of updates. However, what is more important for the end user is how the daily experience of using the device has changed.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the innovations, from mode Picture-in-Picture to smart notification management. You will learn how to optimize the performance of your device using the tools included in the G8, and whether it is worth waiting for the update if your device has not yet officially received it. Understanding these mechanisms will help you better control your smartphone.
Revolution in multitasking: Picture-in-Picture and smart windows
One of the most noticeable features that users were waiting for was the native mode Picture-in-Picture (picture in picture). Unlike previous implementations that depend on manufacturer shells, in Android 8.0 this functionality is built into the system kernel level. This allows any application that supports video playback or navigation to continue working in a floating window while you switch to other tasks.
Technically, this is implemented through a new API that allows applications to switch to thumbnail mode when you press a button. Home. Previously, this feature was exclusive to tablets or required root access. Now, having minimized YouTube or Google Maps, you continue to see the route or video on top of the desktop or messenger. The window can be resized by dragging it across the screen, which provides flexible content management.
Technical limitations of PiP in Android 8
Picture-in-Picture mode in Android 8.0 does not work with all applications at once. Developers had to update their apps to support the new API. In addition, in the background, the application consumes fewer resources, but still uses the battery, so the system can close the window if memory is needed for an active task.
It is important to note that the window is controlled through special gestures. One touch expands the application, double touch minimizes or closes it. This creates a unified interaction logic, independent of the smartphone brand. For users who frequently navigate while chatting, this is a real breakthrough in convenience.
To quickly activate Picture-in-Picture mode in a supported app, simply press the Home button while a video is playing. If the window does not appear, check the settings for a specific application in the "Applications and notifications" section.
Smart notifications and alert channels
The notification system in Android has always been considered one of the best on the market, but with the release of version 8.0 it has become even more intelligent. The main innovation was Notification Channels (notification channels). This feature gave users granular control over exactly what notifications they wanted to receive from a particular app.
Previously, you could either allow all notifications from an app or block them completely. Now, for example, you can leave only breaking news from a news aggregator, while disabling notifications about promotions or less important events. This is implemented through grouping notifications within the applications themselves, which requires support from software developers.
- 🔔 Grouping: Notifications of the same type are now automatically combined into neat groups, without cluttering the curtain.
- 🎨 Adaptive icons: Application icons in notifications change shape depending on the theme, ensuring visual integrity interface.
- ⏱ Timeouts: It is now possible to set the notification lifetime, after which it will disappear automatically, even if you have not read it.
For developers, this meant the need to revise the structure of the notification code. They had to define categories (channels) and assign priorities to them. The user was able to go into the notification settings (long press) and fine-tune the behavior of each channel separately. This significantly reduced the "noise" and increased the information content of the remaining alerts.
⚠️ Attention: Some older applications may display notifications incorrectly or ignore channel settings until their developers release an update compatible with the Android 8.0 API.
Performance optimization and background processes
One of the main problems of Android has historically been the “bloating” of RAM by background processes. In Android 8.0, Google introduced strict restrictions on background activity of applications. The system now manages resources more intelligently, limiting the number of processes that can run in the background at the same time.
Background restrictions touches on three main aspects: background services, location and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth scanning. If the application is not actively used, the system limits the frequency of its calls to geolocation and network interfaces. This has led to a noticeable increase in battery life on many devices, especially the budget segment.
The mechanism of background services has been rewritten. If previously an application could start a service in the background at any time, in the new version this is only possible for a short period of time after interaction with the user. After this, the service should go into a state JobSchedulerthat runs tasks only when certain conditions are met (for example, charging or Wi-Fi).
Limiting background activity is a key change that extended the battery life of older smartphones after updating to Android 8.0, preventing sleeping applications from "eating" memory.
Security and the Treble project
In matters of security, Android 8.0 has made a huge step forward. In addition to monthly security patches, a function was introduced into the system: Google Play Protect. This is a built-in anti-virus scanner that checks applications not only at the time of installation from the Play Market, but also apps already installed on the device, and also scans the system for malicious changes.
The project Treble, which was mentioned earlier, is a new basic Android architecture. It allocates the vendor interface (from the hardware manufacturer) into a separate section. This means that Google can update the system framework regardless of the manufacturer's drivers. For the user, this means potentially faster updates to new versions of Android in the future, since chip manufacturers (Qualcomm, MediaTek) do not need to rewrite all the code each time for a new OS version.
The requirements for applications have also been strengthened, targeting API 26 (Android 8.0). They must explicitly request permissions and cannot use the system's hidden APIs. This closes many of the loopholes that malware exploited for hidden mining or data theft.
| Security Feature | Description | User Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Google Play Protect | Daily scanning of 50 billion+ devices | Automatic protection against viruses without installing antiviruses |
| Project Treble | Separation of vendor code and OS | Accelerating the release of security updates |
| Safe launch | Verifying bootloader integrity | Protection against low-level rootkits |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Encryption of saved networks | Applications cannot read Wi-Fi password without root |
⚠️ Attention: After updating to Android 8.0, some Applications that require deep access to the system (for example, old file managers or interface modifiers) may no longer work correctly due to increased security restrictions.
Visual changes and responsive icons
The visual style of Android 8.0 has undergone evolutionary rather than revolutionary changes. The main innovation was Adaptive Icons (adaptive icons). Unlike static images of previous versions, adaptive icons consist of two layers: foreground (foreground) and background (background). The system itself dynamically crops the icon to the shape specified by the design theme (circle, square, rounded square).
This allowed us to unify the appearance of the desktop. No matter what launcher skin you use, the icons will look harmonious. Application developers had to rework graphic resources, providing separate layers for the system, which ensured consistency across the entire ecosystem.
Also appeared Smart Text Selection (smart text selection). Using machine learning, the system recognizes the context of the selected text. If you have selected a phone number, the system will offer to call or send an SMS. If the address is open cards. If it's a contact name, find it in the phone book. This eliminates the need to copy text and manually search for an application for the action.
☑️ Check visual functions
File management and compatibility
With the release of Android 8.0, Google began to more actively promote its own applications, sometimes to the detriment of third-party solutions. However, useful features have appeared in the file manager, such as support Print Service Plugin, which allows you to print documents directly from any application that supports a standard print dialog.
Significant changes have affected the work with codecs. The system received support for audio codecs LDAC, aptX HD and other high-quality Bluetooth formats. For audiophiles, this meant the ability to transmit sound over the air with minimal loss of quality, provided that the headphones also support these codecs.
In the developer settings, it became possible to select the Bluetooth codec. This gave advanced users control over the balance between audio quality and connection stability. Work with external displays via USB-C has also been improved, support for color spaces has been added wide-gamut.
However, it is worth remembering that with this version Google began an active fight against APK files obtained from unknown sources. Installing applications now requires explicit permission for each specific installer application (for example, a browser or file manager), rather than a global setting on the system.
Problem with installing APK
If after the update you cannot install the APK file, the system will not throw an error, but will simply ask for permission. If you previously gave permission to the browser, and now use the file manager, you will have to give permission again specifically for the file manager in the pop-up window.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to roll back from Android 8.0 to an earlier version?
Officially there is no such option. Rolling back a version (downgrade) requires unlocking the bootloader, completely clearing data (wipe data) and flashing the stock image of an older version via Fastboot. This is a complex process that can lead to loss of warranty and data if done incorrectly.
Why did the phone start to get warm after updating to Android 8.0?
In the first 24-48 hours after the update, the system indexes files and optimizes applications in the background. This is normal behavior. If the problem persists longer, check which applications are consuming energy in the battery settings.
Notifications from WhatsApp or Telegram have stopped working, what's wrong?
Most likely, new background activity restrictions have worked. Go to Settings → Applications → [Your application] → Battery and select the "No restrictions" mode or make sure that background activity is not prohibited. Also check the notification channel settings inside the application itself.
What is Android Go and is it available in version 8?
Android 8.1 Oreo was the first version to introduce a lightweight version of the system - Android Go Edition. It is intended for devices with RAM 1 GB or less. This version is optimized to work on weak hardware and includes lightweight versions of Google applications.
How to enable dark theme in Android 8?
In stock Android 8.0 there was no global dark theme yet (it appeared in Android 10). However, some manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi) have added their own themes. In the stock version, you can enable night mode (Night light), which makes the screen warmer, but does not change the interface color to black.