I want my next phone to be a flip-phone with a notch. Actually, one notch on the top, another one at the bottom.
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Google Debuts 'Android P' With Support for iPhone X-Style Notches
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Google today announced a new Android update, Android P, which introduces support for display notches built into Android devices that mimic the design of the iPhone X.
According to Google, Android P offers support for "the latest edge-to-edge screens with display cutout for camera and speaker," with a new "DisplayCutout" class for outlining the size and shape of a notch on an Android device.
Several new Android devices feature an edge-to-edge display with an included notch much like the iPhone X. The Leagoo S9, for example, is a $150 iPhone X clone that features slim side bezels and a front notch, with a design that looks very similar to the iPhone X.
The recently announced Asus ZenFone 5 also adopts a design that uses a notch, and when it was unveiled, Asus bragged that its notch is 26 percent smaller than the notch on the iPhone X.
Leagoo S9
Other clone devices have surfaced from Chinese vendors, such as the Boway "Notch Series," and with official Android support for notch-style designs, we'll likely see more Android smartphones that aim to emulate the iPhone X. Even more well-known Android smartphone vendors are embracing the notch, with LG's upcoming G7 said to include a notched design.
Asus ZenFone 5
Apple implemented a notched design in the iPhone X in an effort to maximize the available display area. The notch houses the TrueDepth camera system, which includes several components necessary for Face ID. Android companies copying Apple's design aren't using the notch in the same way, with currently available models offering fingerprint scanners rather than facial recognition.
In addition to notch support, Android P includes several other notable new features, such as indoor positioning APIs, enhanced notifications, multi-camera support, HEIF image support, design tweaks and changes, restricted access to the mic, camera, and other hardware, and more.
Android P is available for developers starting today, with a public release to come in the future following beta testing. Google is warning that Android P is in the early stages of development and should not be installed on a primary device.
Article Link: Google Debuts 'Android P' With Support for iPhone X-Style Notches
Isn't this ironic? The "notch" got it's share of complaints and yet Android copied it!
Exactly this. Certain other manufacturers use the tactic of throwing as much excrement at a wall as possible and seeing what sticks.
*sigh* I'm just waiting for Android to support arbitrary polygonal notches…
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sigh... Because they are not. Google has added a framework to its Android OS that makes it easier for 3rd party manufacturers (e.g. Chinese Android phone makers) to have layout support for phones with notches. The notch is a compromise, dressed up (in an "emperor has no clothes" way - no pun intended) to be distinctive to Apple.
Oh you must be referring to those great designers and engineers who put a fingerprint sensor on the back right next to the camera. Yeah you're right, they definitely knocked it out of the park on that one.
Not surprised by this. As often as Apple gets mocked, people know that Apple leads the way.
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What do you expect? Google kind of has to do this with the number of Android manufacturers going with a notch design. Developers have to have some way of designing around these notches since Android is on all of these devices.
I think the idea is that for phones that have a notch, the OS/GUI will now handle them to the user's preference. E.g. Apple obviously already does this, and android figured they should give users that choice too, for people who have presumably non-Samsung phones.
Essential PH-1 announced and shipped with a display with no bezels and a notch.
Apple shipped and announced 2nd.
Just for accuracy.
Wow because if there's anything I want to go with my thick-bezeled Android phone with a design from four score and seven chins ago, it's a software notch...
Like I'm genuinely just so confused right now. I have an iPhone X and love it even despite the notch, but I accept why Apple had to include it. Even Steve Jobs couldn't have done anything about the current crossroads of security and advanced displays without borders. But to deliberately add one just for the sake of copying..man they're not even trying anymore.
Like I'm genuinely just so confused right now. I have an iPhone X and love it even despite the notch, but I accept why Apple had to include it. Even Steve Jobs couldn't have done anything about the current crossroads of security and advanced displays without borders. But to deliberately add one just for the sake of copying..man they're not even trying anymore.
Google has no shame, plus they always get a free pass anyway.
Remember the first Pixel launch, how they mocked Apple’s decision to remove the headphone jack in the iPhone 7. Pixel 2, no headphone jack. It’s a real life comedy.
Of course, the same tech bloggers moaning about the lack of headphone jack on iPhones praised the Pixel 2 as the best smartphone ever.
Google doesn’t have to do something just because a few manufacturers are implementing a feature that’s currently not in Android. Imagine what Android would look like if Google always took cues from the OEMs?
Correct, Essential Phone had the Notch before the iPhone X and I welcome this news as I own one of these phones. Hopefully my $200 EP gets support soon.
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Yes, some of these devices look like an iPhone, some don't. And to be fair, the iPhone 6 design wasn't that unique, it also was inspired by some other devices; e.g. HTC. UI and functionality wise I'd rather say Apple (fortunately) added some things android had for years, and that's perfectly fine.
We're at a point where many devices look like each other, but what's the problem?
Apple started the whole smartphone thing, and we all can be glad that there's so much competition now. I don't get all the hate and spite.
Your car doesn't have one? Mine does. The notch area houses a camera for collision detection and also where the rear view mirror is mounted. It's a rather noticeable notch from both outside the car and inside. In rare instances, the notch manages to block the sight of a traffic light and I have to look around it.
And another guy who didn't even read the article.
Apple kinda had the most thick-bezeled devices for years, so that's pure comedy.
Well, in the end, Google actually does take cues from the OEMs. Many features we take for granted on Android today were not Google’s original. Google is actually “behind”on certain things. For example, the stock camera app doesn’t support dual camera, to the point that Xiaomi’s Android One Mi A1 has to use Xiaomi’s custom camera app.
The notch thing is probably a proactive thing since the OEMs just cannot stop copying Apple (Huawei, Asus, almost everybody except Samsung are doing the notch)
Am I the only one that feels the S8 or S9 design is far better than iPhone X? I would only use iOS but if there was an iPhone with that design then I’d get it.
I’d much rather a “bigger” bezel at the top and bottom without a notch.
Well, ideally I’d have an iPhone SE sized phone with the S8/9 design but I’m not holding my breath for any of this!
I’d much rather a “bigger” bezel at the top and bottom without a notch.
Well, ideally I’d have an iPhone SE sized phone with the S8/9 design but I’m not holding my breath for any of this!
How many manufacturers are using Android? 20+? They very much have to add support for developers to design around the notch. That's all they are doing in this preview. Developers can do what they want with it, but Google is just adding developer support at the very basic level. This is after all, a developer preview.