With the Extension Software Developer Kit, developers will be able to add support for modern features on phones running older versions of Android
THE Google it should bring new features to phones that haven’t received Android updates for a long time. The Extension Software Developer Kit is a tool that allows developers to use the latest system release tools on Android 12, 11 or earlier. The goal is to support newer, hardware-independent features for older devices.
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In an official post on the Android blog, the developers explained the technical part of the tool. The example cited is Exclusive photo picker extension for Android 13 for previous versionswhich would allow modern apps to offer the revamped layout without the user having to upgrade their mobile.
In summary it works like this: an API present in the applications will identify which technological resources the mobile phone has installed. If he has the photo picker on his device, he can run it in that program or game, even if it’s on Android 11. The camera or physical features, related to the mobile itself, also need to be monitored to define whether the app can run it.
Google has been working on techniques for updating Android components through the Play Store for several years, without requiring the download of the full update. This new system gives the company much more freedom to quickly fix something or add small improvements to the operating system.
The update will consist of implementing the Privacy Sandbox
The plans for the Extension SDK must be much more ambitious than the photo gallery. According to Google spokesman Scott Westover, the technology will enable the inclusion of the Privacy Sandbox — replacement of third-party cookies — on other versions of Android.
If the novelty were held hostage by the current version of the Google system, the company would not be able to successfully implement it for the large base of mobile phones running the Android operating system. This goes against the purpose of giving the tool broad usability, benefiting from more accurate ads, with an improved and “less invasive” conversion rate than the current model.
With the development kit, the Privacy Sandbox could be constantly updated without the need for an overhaul of the entire system. Google does not yet have a firm date to start testing with this format, as subsequent postponements have been made: the latest is for 2024 – due to controversy and criticism.
Although the measure has a more commercial orientation, there is no denying the positive side. Many people can live perfectly with a phone for five or even six years, but are stuck on outdated Android when official support ends. Now you can enjoy newer stuff, even if it’s just some parts of the operating system.
You still won’t be able to use a Bluetooth 3.0 device if your device only supports version 1.0, because that involves the physical part. But the software part can still be kept for a few years, giving your device a longer useful life and a larger user base for manufacturers.
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Source: Terra
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
