Samsung has officially started rolling out the Android 8.0 Oreo beta program for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus smartphones in the US, the UK and South Korea. As in previous software upgrades, the final version of Oreo is expected to arrive a couple of months after the beta testing.
IBTimes Singapore suggests to just sit back, relax and enjoy the testing phase of the new Android update as Samsung has tonnes of exciting features and tweaks on its sleeve. Here are five cool features revealed in Samsung's Android 8.0 Oreo beta for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus:
Colour coding folders
Sometimes, a group of apps in one folder isn't enough to distinguish it with just the tiny folder name on it. Samsung has duly come up with a solution for that in beta Oreo using different colours. By press holding a specific folder, this will draw up the colour options that you might want to use for that folder. Colour coding folders make it easier to know which folder is which.
New Edge lighting effects
Samsung delivers three new lighting features for notifications in Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8. A glow effect will let your phone's Edge emit a bluish-white flare, while the glitter effect will just throw a mishmash of various colours.
The multi-colour effect will transform the Edge into a festive display of colours circling around it. You'll have the option to change the width, transparency and colours of these magnificent new effects.
New keyboard functionalities
Android 8.0 Oreo beta offers a couple of new additions and functionalities to Samsung's keyboard. First, four new high contrast themes are available to choose from for Samsung's default keyboard. Second, a new toolbar has been added for easy access to different functions. Third, GIF contents can now be inserted and played in the input field. Fourth and last, the new Emoji set is now on board.
More app shortcuts
Since the arrival of app shortcuts in Android 7.1 Nougat, it has been one of the much-lauded features for its functionality. In Oreo, app shortcuts give users up to five tasks to include within an app so you have direct access to your most used or recommended tasks. Which tasks? You call your shots! However, it is not yet certain if this supports all launchers on Android.
Hide albums
Gallery albums with sensitive or classified content can now be secured in Oreo without any third-party app needed. Samsung has added the Hide album option to keep selected albums off the snooper's radar. However, this is not a foolproof way to keep your album safe as people who know how to unhide albums can still bring the hidden album back to light.
Take note, all these new changes and features are still in beta, which means Samsung might or might not bring them on the official and final version of Android 8.0 Oreo. Hope for the best!
