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Android N's Revamped Interface Spotted in Mock-Ups, Official Video

Soon after the first purported screenshots from Google's next Android OS version made rounds on the Internet, we have more on our table offering new details about Android N. In the meanwhile, Google has released a video for its Maps app that may have revealed a major design change in the latest version of the operating system - no app drawer.

Getting to the official video, the Google Maps Twitter handle may just have given the world the first look at Android N. In a video shared last week detailing new features of Google Maps, the search giant shows what appears to be a Nexus 6P smartphone that's missing an app drawer on its home screen. Instead, the Nexus 6P's home screen in the video shows the Dialler, Contacts, and Camera apps in the bottom dock, apart from apps for Search, Chrome, Maps, Photos, and Hangouts. If true, the revamp flies in the face of recent changes made by Google in Marshmallow, which brought improved search and listing options for the app drawer.

In the meanwhile, Android Police has shared a few mock-up screenshots of Android N showing tweaks in notifications tab as well as quick settings panel. According to the shared mock-up screenshots claimed to be from Android N, Google's next Android OS version will have more than just cosmetic changes.

The screenshot showing notifications tab shows more details while quick settings panel will add an edit tab. The app icons seen in mock-up images are smaller than the current version.

One of the notable changes seen is that the quick settings as well as notifications tab now span full width instead of half of the screen that shows up currently.

Another notable addition seen is the quick settings toggles visible at the top of the notifications pane. Google's new approach to show quick settings toggles in notifications tab seems to be inspired from other Android-based skins preloaded by OEMs. One of the screenshots show notifications tab including toggles for Wi-Fi, network status, battery, do not disturb, flashlight, and an additional drop down button. On tapping the drop down button opens the quick settings panel showing all the options.

An edit button is also seen at the bottom of the quick settings panel making it easier for users to make any changes to the toggles.

It's worth mentioning that the spotted screenshots or the shared video claimed to be from Android N may be early version of the OS and we may see a lot of changes in the final build.

Google is likely to reveal its next mobile operating system, believed to be called as Android N initially, at the I/O conference. Google CEO Sundar Pichai had last month has announced the date and venue for the I/O 2016 which will be held in Mountain View, California on May 18 through May 20. Much like Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Android N can be expected to be launched later this year with the new Nexus hardware.

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