More Android Q details leak, hint at version number and the ability to roll back app updates

Android Q details have been steadily trickling out lately, and now several more possible Q features have leaked.

First up, two of the biggest questions surrounding a new Android release are "What will the dessert be?" and "Which version number will it be?" We're still having a hard time choosing a good Q dessert, but it looks like we may have the answer to the second question. That's because the System UI Demo Mode in Android Q displays the time as "10:10", hinting that Android Q will be version 10.

Also rumored to be coming to Android Q is better facial recognition support. Found within Android Q are strings like "<string name=”face_dialog_looking_for_face”>Looking for you…</string>" and "<string name=”face_authenticated_confirmation_required”>Face authenticated, please press confirm</string>" . This is notable because it suggests that Google will bake high-quality facial recognition into Android, similar to what Apple has done with Face ID on the iPhone. While some Android device makers have implemented their own Face ID-style facial recognition, Google appears to be adding native support for Android, which could encourage more companies to adopt the feature.

Another possible new Android Q feature is a permission that'll let you block an app from reading your clipboard. Currently, any Android app can read the contents of your clipboard without needing a permission, but a new Android Q permission that reads "<permission android:name="android.permission.READ_CLIPBOARD_IN_BACKGROUND" android:protectionLevel="signature"/>" hints that that could change in the next version of Android.

Finally, Google may allow you to downgrade to a previous version of an app in Android Q. New permissions "<protected-broadcast android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ENABLE_ROLLBACK"/>" and " <protected-broadcast android:name="android.intent.action.PACKAGE_ROLLBACK_EXECUTED"/>" inside of Android Q suggest that Google Play could allow you to roll back to a previous version of an installed app. This could come in handy if you update to a new version of an app but find a serious bug or flaw in it.

Google hasn't made any official announcements about Android Q, but we could get some news on it soon. The first Android P Developer Preview was released in early March 2018, so it's possible that we'll get our first official peek at Android Q in a little more than a month. We also know that Google I/O 2019 is being held May 7-9, so more details on the update could be revealed there.

Google

More Android Q details leak, hint at version number and the ability to roll back app updates originally posted at http://phonedog.com