Key Highlights
- Android 17 introduces continuous Canary updates for developers.
- New constraints enforce strict orientation and resizability rules on large screens.
- Performance improvements include lock-free MessageQueue and generational garbage collection.
- Security enhancements in CameraCaptureSession API and new LoudnessCodecController class.
The New Canary Channel: Continuous Updates for Android Developers
And here we are, another significant milestone in the Android development journey. Google has rolled out a beta 1 version of Android 17, introducing a fresh approach to updates and testing through its continuous Canary channel.
Previously, developers had to wait for quarterly drops to get new features and APIs. Now, with this new system, any new feature or API is pushed immediately after internal testing—no more waiting.
Navigating the New Orientation Rules
So what’s next? Well, Android 17 (API level 37) has imposed some strict changes on developers managing large-screen devices. Gone are the days when apps could dictate their own orientation or resize behavior without adhering to the system’s preferences.
Apps targeting SDK 37 must adapt to the windowing environment on tablets and foldables, as options like screenOrientation and setRequestedOrientation() are now ignored for large screens (sw > 600dp). This means your app will need a thorough audit of its manifest file.
Performance Overhaul: A New Garbage Collection Strategy
But don’t worry; there’s more to this update than just orientation rules. The performance side has seen significant changes too. The Android Runtime (ART) now uses generational garbage collection, which runs frequent, lighter collections on young objects, thus lowering CPU costs.
Static final fields are also enforced as truly immutable, with reflection attempts triggering an IllegalAccessException and JNI modifications causing app crashes. These checks apply to all apps in beta 1, ensuring developers catch issues early.
Security Hardening: New APIs for Enhanced Controls
Lastly, let’s talk about security. The CameraCaptureSession API gains a new method updateOutputConfigurations(), allowing dynamic attachment or detachment of output surfaces without reconfiguring the full session. This reduces initialisation latency and makes transitions smoother.
The LoudnessCodecController class implements CTA-2075 for audio adjustment based on content metadata, supporting automatic loudness management in ExoPlayer.
VVC support is also included for devices with hardware decoding.
Developer teams must compile against the new SDK and test large-screen compliance immediately. The beta is available OTA for Pixel devices or as 64-bit system images for the Android Emulator. Get started now before Platform Stability hits in March.
So, are you ready to embrace these changes? Or will your app be left behind?
