Android 17 Introduces ‘Handoff’ for Seamless Cross-Device Experience
Android 17 has introduced an innovative feature called “Handoff,” designed to enhance user experience across multiple devices. This feature allows users to start an application activity on one Android device and seamlessly transition it to another. Google has characterized Handoff as a user-facing capability that operates in the background, supported by a dedicated API for developers.
What is Handoff?
Handoff facilitates a smoother cross-device experience. Users can initiate a native Android app on one device and continue on another, provided the app is installed on the second device. This functionality will be visible through the launcher and taskbar, which will display available activities from nearby devices.
Key Features
- App-to-App Transition: Users can move from one app to another seamlessly.
- App-to-Web Handoff: If the app isn’t available, users can fall back on web versions.
- Background Operation: The feature runs quietly in the background for user convenience.
Developer Integration
For developers, implementing Handoff is straightforward. Handoff support must be enabled on a per-activity basis. Developers should use the setHandoffEnabled() method for the specific activity. Additional data can be passed along to ensure the activity can restore its state accurately on the receiving device.
Implementation Details
- Use the onHandoffActivityRequested() callback to specify Handoff behavior.
- Provide a HandoffActivityData object containing necessary details.
Currently, Android 17 Beta 1 does not display this feature in action. Developer documentation remains minimal, leaving unclear details about supported device formats. Notably, the taskbar feature, which is integral for Handoff, is limited to foldables, tablets, and larger-screen devices.
Future Applications
The possibilities for Handoff are extensive. Imagine drafting an email on your smartphone and completing it on your laptop. Such interactions could revolutionize how users engage with multiple Android devices.
Stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for further updates on Android 17 and its features.
