Now in Android #102
I/O 2024, Women’s History Month, Vulkan on Android, and more!
Welcome to Now in Android, your ongoing guide to what’s new and notable in the world of Android development.
Most of the content of this post is available in the form of a video or podcast, so feel free to watch or listen rather than read on. (Or do all three to help you remember! There won’t be a quiz.)
Google I/O is arriving this year on May 14th
Google I/O is arriving this year on May 14th and you’re invited to join us online! I/O offers something for everyone, whether you are developing a new application or modernizing an existing one.
Android Developers Blog 📝
Monzo, a UK-based digital bank, has introduced a unique “Call Status” feature within their app to combat impersonation attempts.
They have come up with an innovative solution that lets you tell if the call you’re receiving is from a legitimate Monzo employee or not
Monzo’s solution integrates their internal phone systems with their mobile application, creating a secure and user-friendly defense mechanism. The feature’s effectiveness is evident in the significant number of monthly fraud reports generated and positive industry recognition. Todd covered the background, Monzo’s approach to the problem as well the outstanding results.
#WeArePlay celebrated Women History Month by highlighting groundbreaking apps and games created by women founders, focusing on four innovative projects:
- Royelles from the US: the game is designed to encourage girls and non-binary individuals to explore STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) careers. Creator Múkami Kinoti Kimotho emphasizes the importance of meeting younger generations in the metaverse for effective engagement and education.
- Reblood from Indonesia is addressing blood donation shortages by connecting donors and recipients. Created by Leonika Sari Njoto Boedioetomo, its impact includes over 140,000 blood donations.
- Brazil’s CARSUL is an urban mobility app with a strong focus on user safety, inspired by the tragic loss of founders Luciane Antunes dos Santos and Renato Hélio Rauber’s son. Carsul is preventing accidents and saving lives by providing safe transportation options and partnering with government health programs to chauffeur patients long distances to larger hospitals,
- App-Elles (France): An app empowering women to discreetly send alerts when they feel unsafe. Founded by Diariata (Diata) N’Diaye, the app offers connections to support networks and professional services.
Codelabs 🛠️
Kim and Hakim released a new introductory codelab to Vulkan on Android that covers how to set up the Vulkan rendering pipeline using a simple C++ Android app.
AndroidX releases 🚀
We had numerous updates to AndroidX libraries including:
- Compose Compiler 1.5.11: Enhances efficiency and adds support for Kotlin 1.9.23.
- Games-Activity & Games-Text-Input 3.0.1: Improves the accuracy of special character input and display.
- Mediarouter 1.7.0: Enhances system route management for Bluetooth, wired headsets, and more, ensuring reliable media routing.
Android Developers Backstage🎙
In the latest episode of ADB, Aurash Mahbod joined Tor, Romain, and Chet to talk about the Play store, mobile games trends, console games, as well as challenges for Android games developers, and more
Now then… 👋
This was a very short episode of NiA where we covered the latest updates to AndroidX libraries, ADB latest episode, Vulkan on Android, Women’s History Month, and more!
Remember to like, subscribe, and stay safe. Be sure to tune in to Google I/O on May 14th for more of what’s new, and check back soon for your next update from the Android developer universe! 💫
