Fragmentation has been a longstanding criticism concerning the Android ecosystem. Usually customers miss out on options of the newest Android model as a result of they’re utilizing older gadgets which might be now not up to date. To cut back the hole, Google has launched the primary public model of the Extension SDK, which goals to deliver options of the newest Android model to older iterations.
As part of this announcement, Google is opening up Picture Picker API help to Android 11 and Android 12. Picture picker lets customers give entry to pick out images from their library to an app — proper now, solely Android 13 customers can use the newest picture picker interface.
Notably, as that is an SDK app builders must embrace this performance of their apps. However customers received’t want a system replace to make use of the picture picker.
The Extension SDK additionally brings help to implement AdServices APIs to organize for the launch of the Android Privateness Sandbox. The Android Privacy Sandbox is Google’s new ad stack to replace cookies in Chrome. At present, Google is testing Privateness Sandbox on a limited number of devices running Android 13 with a wider beta launch anticipated this 12 months. With elements just like the Extension SDK, Google will intention to roll out Privateness Sandbox help to gadgets operating older variations of Android.
Google has tried to compress characteristic rollout occasions by packages like Project Mainline, which was launched with Android 10 to make the working system extra modular and push options by Google Play. So customers don’t have to attend for cellphone makers to concern a software program replace. The Extension SDK is one other step in that route.
