Posted by Anton Hansson, Software program Engineer
Android 10 and better help Modular System Elements that enable us to expedite practical and safety updates to the Android ecosystem exterior of main API stage releases and make new performance backward suitable on already-released Android variations. These enhancements assist make improvement extra versatile and broaden the attain for app builders. We have constructed a brand new Extension SDK framework so that you can combine with these APIs, and as we speak, we’re releasing the primary public model of the Extension SDK (Extension Stage 4).
Sooner API and have introductions
Being able to introduce new performance exterior of main API stage releases permits quicker improvements. As shared in a earlier put up, starting this 12 months we plan to roll out the preliminary Privateness Sandbox on Android Beta launch to Android 13 gadgets. You can begin utilizing the Extension SDK to combine your options with the AdServices APIs to arrange for restricted manufacturing testing. Be taught extra on how you can take part within the Privateness Sandbox Beta launch, and arrange your improvement setting with a check gadget or emulator.
Backward compatibility
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Verify for API availability
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enjoyable isPhotoPickerAvailable(): Boolean { |
The choice test, by way of Construct.VERSION.SDK_INT, would appear to be this:
enjoyable isPhotoPickerAvailable(): Boolean { |
This test continues to be protected and proper, however this operate would return false on some gadgets the place the API is now obtainable. Consequently, the SDK_INT test isn’t optimum, and the extension model test is a greater method to test for API availability. All gadgets with SDK_INT >= 33 additionally have an R extension model of >= 2, however there are gadgets with SDK_INT < 33 with R extension variations >= 2.
Equally, the AdServices API reference might point out that it’s “added in Advert Companies Extensions 4”. The Advert Companies extension makes use of the SdkExtensions.AD_SERVICES fixed. The supply test seems like this:
enjoyable isAdServicesAvailable(): Boolean { |
For developer comfort, we’re extending Jetpack to make it simpler to work with extension variations. For instance, you should use a Jetpack library operate to test for PhotoPicker availability, which abstracts away the conditional model checks. We count on to be releasing extra Jetpack libraries (such because the Privateness Preserving APIs within the Privateness Sandbox) to help the right use of APIs launched by way of Extension SDKs.
Tooling help
To assist guarantee app high quality, we added Extension variations tooling help to Android Lint’s NewApi test. Since Android Studio Flamingo, it will probably auto-generate the right model checks for APIs which have been launched by way of SDK extensions. Utilizing these new model checks is totally non-compulsory, however adopting them may assist result in extra widespread use of latest APIs once they exist.
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Get familiarized with SDK extensions
We’re simply starting the SDK Extension developer journey and plan to make extra options obtainable sooner or later. You may get the most recent SDK extension 4 obtainable within the SDK Supervisor as we speak. Be taught extra concerning the SDK Extensions and our documentation on the Privateness Sandbox Beta and the photograph picker.
