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See what it's like to use Android P for yourself

Walk through notch styles, swiping gestures and a new screenshot tool.

Jessica Dolcourt
Jessica is a passionate content strategist and team leader across the CNET family of brands. She leads a number of teams, including commerce, performance optimization and the copy desk. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on the iPhone and Samsung devices. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began her leadership role managing CNET's How To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones to home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick in the UK.
Jessica Dolcourt
AndroidP-Xiaomi
1 of 18Jessica Dolcourt/CNET

It's time to get to know Android P, the next version of Google software bound for your phone.

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2 of 18James Martin/CNET

The app tray takes on a new look. 

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Those two buttons you see suggest actions you often do. It's meant to be a time-saving feature.

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Swipe right on the new home button to scroll through your open apps, one by one.

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New volume controls include a slider.

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This shows a notched bottom in addition to a notched top. It's there for developers to make sure apps work with this setup.

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You can see the new home button on the bottom of the page.

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Search results now include richer information, little "slices" of an app that you may or may not have downloaded. For example, search Lyft and you'll be able to see how much a ride home costs.

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Selecting text gives you the ability to act on the information right away.

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Here's the start screen of Android P on the demo device I used, with no notch set up.

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The quick access shade also gets a refresh.

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You can manage your notifications.

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Turn the phone and a new button will appear to ask if you'd like to rotate the screen.

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The back button appears when you can actually go back to another page. Otherwise, you won't see it.

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The home screen loses the Back and Recents buttons. Press and hold the home button for Google Assistant.

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Notifications get a new look in Android P.

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Long-press the power button to turn off the phone or even trigger a screenshot.

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This crazy notch option takes out the top-right corner. Why would anyone use this? Who knows!

Read more about using Android P.

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