Android is Google’s operating system that is incredibly popular.
In fact, the mobile platform is used on almost all phones across the globe that are not manufactured by Apple Inc.
Android’s newest iteration, 9 Pie, debuted back in August and has continued to arrive on smartphones since its initial release.
The next substantial update for the software is presumed to arrive later this year and introduce a host of new functionality for users.
Codenamed Q, the full name of the software is likely to represent a confectionary product.
Previous Android names have ranged from Cupcake to Ice Cream Sandwich.
Although Android Q is not expected to release for months, XDA Developers has insisted it has tested an early version of the software and offered a glimpse into new features fans can expect.
The outlet declared a system-wide dark mode will arrive in the fresh operating system that looks set to build upon the dark theme that is currently available in Android 9 Pie.
Android 9 Pie allows fans to turn on an aesthetic with black colours, but unfortunately the theme only applies to the software’s application drawer and notification shade.
However, when the toggle is activated, Google apps that support night modes, such as Messages and Phone, do not automatically enable the same theme.
Android Q looks set to change this with a system-wide dark mode that was shown off by XDA Developers.
The outlet explained the feature can be toggled as “always on”, “always off”, or it can be turned on automatically depending on the time of day.
The existence of such a feature appears to comply with Google’s previous claims dark modes inherently save battery life for users.
This means devices that upgrade to Android Q and turn on the software’s dark mode could have device life increased overall.
It also appears Google is determined to improve user privacy with Android Q.
XDA Developers showed off new permissions settings within the operating system that lets users only allow for certain features when a specific application is open.
The outlet showed an image of camera settings that allowed the user to select when they wanted the application to track locations.
In addition to standard “allow all the time” and “deny” options, a new toggle was present called “allow only while the app is in use”.
The latter means the camera application would only track the location of users when it is open.
Google’s new option appears to give users more choice for when and how they would like certain features to be used.
Most notably, XDA Developers also insisted it had found an option in the claimed early version of Android Q dubbed “force desktop mode”, with its description reading “force experimental desktop mode on secondary displays”.
The outlet speculated the toggle could be in place for a feature Google is working on that could work similarly to Samsung DeX that allows smartphone owners to plug their device into a display to harness desktop-like functions.
However, details on this particular mode appeared to be scarce at this point in time.
Android Q is presumed to debut at around the same time in the year as its predecessor.
However, ahead of its full rollout it is likely developer builds of the software will give Google fans a glimpse into forthcoming features.