Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
TL;DR
- Google launched the general public model of its Extension Software program Developer Equipment.
- Extension SDK permits older variations of Android to make use of new options.
- Extension SDK is generally geared toward builders.
Google has been engaged on a strategy to carry updates to core parts of Android by way of the Play Retailer for years. Its newest try at that’s releasing a public model of its Extension Software program Developer Equipment to carry new options to older variations of Android.
Based on XDA Builders, Google has made its Extension SDK out there to the general public. With it, variations of Android 11 and 12 ought to be capable of use newer options that have been unique to Android 13, just like the OS’s new photograph picker API.
That is attainable because of Google modularizing Android so issues like media playback, Wi-Fi, permissions, and extra could be up to date individually. This provides Google extra management over how options are up to date.
Earlier than you get too excited, nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that this characteristic is geared toward builders. So the common person might not see any profit from Extension SDK being launched to the general public.
Moreover, the characteristic can also be offering a stage for Google to check its Android Privateness Sandbox, which is predicted to launch in beta this 12 months. This Privateness Sandbox is Google’s in-development substitute for its present ad-tracking system. Based on XDA Builders, this exhibits how Extension SDK can ship new options with out the necessity for a full system replace.
Extension SDK isn’t the one time Google has tried to get new options to older OS variations. Again in the course of the Android 10 period, the corporate created one thing known as Venture Mainline — a strategy to remove fragmentation by making it attainable to replace components of the OS by way of the Play Retailer.
