Android 10: Google starts rolling out new version of mobile operating system
Android 10 includes a dark mode, a "smart reply" feature, and dozens of security and privacy enhancements.
Wednesday 4 September 2019 14:41, UK
Google has started rolling out the newest version of its mobile operating system, with its own line of Pixel smartphones the first to receive the update.
Android 10 includes a much-requested dark mode and a "smart reply" feature, which allows users to shoot off a rapid response to a message as suggested by their phone.
New gesture controls allowing users to swipe rather than tap to go backwards are also on board, and dozens of privacy and security enhancements have been added.
These include an incognito mode for the Google Maps app, extra controls regarding advertising web and app activity, and options for parents who want to limit how much their children use their device.
Much like iOS, Google says Android 10 will let users only share location data with apps while they are being used, and notifications are provided when an an app running in the background is accessing such information.
The tech giant is still working on some features that are not yet ready for public release, such as a so-called focus mode, which will allow people to silence apps they find distracting.
Google has also not said when the update will be released for Android phones made by other manufacturers, such as those released by Samsung and LG.
When Android 10 does arrive on non-Google devices, it will at least mean security updates will be delivered far quicker than they have been over the years.
Until now, handsets have had to wait for individual manufacturers to push out bespoke security and privacy fixes, but the new version of Android allows them to be sent out by Google directly via Google Play.
One eagerly awaited smartphone that looks set to miss out on Android 10 is the Huawei Mate 30.
The flagship device is due to launch on 19 September, but as it stands will do so without Google apps and services because the Chinese company is on a trade blacklist preventing it from using US technology.
Google itself is expected to unveil its new Pixel 4 smartphone in October, although this year.
Android 10 brings to an end to a decade-long commitment by Google to naming its major annual updates after a dessert, with cupcake, eclair, gingerbread, honeycomb and ice cream sandwich among the previous picks.
The 2019 version of the OS , and Google said it decided to stop the naming sequence after receiving feedback that not everyone understood its choices.