Google released Android Oreo last month and it will take some time for manufacturers to roll out the update for their devices. But that doesn’t mean we can’t try out some of its features right now. If you cannot wait for Oreo or believe that your device is not in line to receive it, you can try out these apps to customise your current device, Oreo-style.
Get Lawnchair Launcher
Developed by senior XDA member “Deletescape”, Lawnchair launcher is a Pixel launcher that offers most of the features that Oreo packs. No root access required for this one, just install it on your phone from here and after installation, long press on any empty space on the home screen and tap settings. A new screen will open which enables you to quickly enable Oreo features on your phone such as, Notification Badges: UI >Notification Badges and Preview then allow Notification Access, Adaptive Icons: Pixel Style>Use Pixel Icons and more.
Get fingerprint sensor gesture
Android Oreo brings with it support for gestures on your fingerprint sensors. Actions like single tap, double tap, and swipe will allow you to perform certain tasks on the Android Oreo smartphones. But if you want the same features on your phone that is not scheduled for Android Oreo, then you can install Fingerprint Gestures or Fingerprint Quick Action. You now have access to a wide variety of actions to be assigned to the gestures mentioned earlier.
Tweak your notifications
Android Oreo has a lot of helpful notification oriented features. For instance, you can snooze notifications for later. This helps you avoid notification clutter without missing out on important notifications. Use Notif Log notification history app to get the same snooze functionality and more, albeit in a different app altogether. The app allows you to enable a floatie that swaps your Android notification bar with its own notification panel. On that panel, you can swipe notifications left to snooze them for 10, 20 mins or any specified time. You can also manage other features like pinned notification and more.
Make your Wi-Fi smart
Another interesting feature from Android Oreo is the Wi-Fi Assistant that automatically connects you to open Wi-Fi networks around you and secures the same with a VPN from Google. While getting exactly this feature may not be possible right now, you can get something similar with all known Wi-Fi hotspots with Smart Wifi Toggler. The app can remember all your hotspots and toggles Wifi when you move within and beyond the range of a known Wi-Fi hotspot.
Use Picture-in-Picture
With Android Oreo, Google is bringing picture-in-picture video support to smartphones. While this was already there on Nougat for Android TV, smartphones with Android Oreo will get this feature on apps that offer it. As of now, apps like Google Duo, YouTube and Whatsapp offer this. To get this for YouTube videos, install Floating Tube Video Player and select the pop icon on any YouTube video to get a floating window that lets you run other apps in the background. It’s not perfect, but it works.
Get an ambient lockscreen
While any phone running Android Marshmallow and upwards does support Ambient Display, you need to enable it explicitly. To do that, go to Settings>Display>Ambient display and toggle it. Now, with Android Oreo, you basically get the same notifications in the ambient display, along with more interactive options. While it may not be possible right now to get the exact same display on other phones, you can go for AcDisplay and get an alternative ambient display screen that allows you to toggle a ton of settings. And while most supported apps are shown in grayscale, certain icons do show up as coloured, that gives it a nice visual touch.
Customise lock screen shortcuts
With Android O you can customise lock screen shortcuts to include up to five apps that you directly want to open from the lock screen. And just in case you’re sad that there’s another feature you’re going to miss out, it's available on other Android versions by using the Next Lock Screen app. Once the app is installed you need to grant it the needed permissions, after which the app will take you to its lock screen. There, swipe up to see the Pick Your Shortcuts option where you can choose up to five apps that you can open directly from the lockscreen. Don’t forget to disable your own lock screen from Settings.