Tag Archives: Studio

Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop is stable

Posted by Adarsh Fernando, Group Product Manager

Today, we're excited to announce the stable release of Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop (2024.3.2)!

This release brings a host of new features and improvements designed to boost your productivity and enhance your development workflow. With numerous enhancements, this latest release helps you build high-quality Android apps faster and more efficiently: streamlined Jetpack Compose previews, new Gemini capabilities, better Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) integration, improved device management, and more.

Read on to learn about the key updates in Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop, and download the latest stable version today to explore them yourself!

Developer Productivity Enhancements

Analyze Crash Reports with Gemini in Android Studio

Debugging production crashes can require you to spend significant time switching contexts between your crash reporting tool, such as Firebase Crashlytics and Android Vitals, and investigating root causes in the IDE. Now, when viewing reports in App Quality Insights (AQI), click the Insights tab. Gemini provides a summary of the crash, generates insights, and links to useful documentation. If you also provide Gemini with access to local code context, it can provide more accurate results, relevant next steps, and code suggestions. This helps you reduce the time spent diagnosing and resolving issues.

moving image of Gemini in the App Quality Insights tool window in Android Studio

Gemini helps you investigate, understand, and resolve crashes in your app much more quickly in the App Quality Insights tool window.

Generate Unit Test Scenarios with Gemini

Writing effective unit tests is crucial but can be time-consuming. Gemini now helps kickstart this process by generating relevant test scenarios. Right-click on a class in your editor and select Gemini > Generate Unit Test Scenarios. Gemini analyzes the code and suggests test cases with descriptive names, outlining what to test. While you still implement the specific test logic, this significantly speeds up the initial setup and ensures better test coverage by suggesting scenarios you might have missed.

moving image of generating unit test scenarios in Android Studio

Gemini helps you generate unit test scenarios for your app.

Gemini Prompt Library

No more retyping your most frequently used prompts for Gemini! The new Prompt Library lets you save prompts directly within Android Studio (Settings > Gemini > Prompt Library). Whether it's a specific code generation pattern, a refactoring instruction, or a debugging query you use often, save it once from the chat (right-click > Save prompt) and re-apply it instantly from the editor (right-click > Gemini > Prompt Library). Prompts that you save can also be shared and standardized across your team.

moving image of prompt library in Android Studio

The prompt library saves your frequently used Gemini prompts to make them easier to use.

You have the option to store prompts on IDE level or Project level:

IDE level prompts are private and can be used across multiple projects.
Project level prompts can be shared across teams working on the same project (if .idea folder is added to VCS).

Compose and UI Development

Themed Icon Support Preview

Ensure your app's branding looks great with Android’s themed icons. Android Studio now lets you preview how your existing launcher icon adapts to the monochromatic theming algorithm directly within the IDE. This quick visual check helps you identify potential contrast issues or undesirable shapes early in the workflow, even before you provide a dedicated monochromatic drawable. This allows for faster iteration on your app's visual identity.

Themed icon support in Preview helps you visually check how your existing launcher icon adapts to monochromatic theming.

Compose Preview Enhancements

Iterating on your Compose UI is now faster and better organized:

Enhanced Zoom: Navigate complex layouts more easily with smoother, more responsive zooming in your Compose previews.
Collapsible Groups: Tidy up your preview surface by collapsing groups of related composables under their @Preview annotation names, letting you focus on specific parts of the UI without clutter.
Grid Mode by Default: Grid mode is now the default for a clear overview. Gallery mode (for flipping through individual previews) is available via right-click, while List view has been removed to streamline the experience.

moving image of Compose previews in Android Studio

Compose previews render more smoothly and make it easier to hide previews you’re not focused on.

Build and Deploy

KMP Shared Module Integration

Android Studio now streamlines adding shared logic to your Android app with the new Kotlin Multiplatform Shared Module template. This provides a dedicated starting point within your Android project, making it easier to structure and build shared business logic for both Android and iOS directly from Android Studio.

Kotlin Multiplatform template in Android Studio

The new Kotlin Multiplatform module template makes it easier to add shared business logic to your existing app.

Updated UX for Adding Devices

Spend less time configuring test devices. The new Device Manager UX for adding virtual and remote devices makes it much easier to configure the devices you want from the Device Manager. To get started, click the ‘+’ action at the top of the window and select one of these options:

Create Virtual Device: New filters, recommendations, and creation flow guide you towards creating AVDs that are best suited for your intended purpose and your machine's performance.
Add Remote Devices: With Android Device Streaming, powered by Firebase, you can connect and debug your app with a variety of real physical devices. With a new catalog view and filters, it's now easier to locate and start using the device you need in just a few clicks.

moving image of configuring virtual devices in Android Studio

It’s now easier to configure virtual devices that are optimized for your workstation.

Google Play Deprecated SDK Warnings

Stay more informed about SDKs you publish with your app. Android Studio now displays warnings from the Google Play SDK Index when an SDK used in your app has been deprecated by its author. These warnings include information about suggested alternative SDKs, helping you proactively manage dependencies and avoid potential issues related to outdated or insecure libraries.

Play deprecated SDK warnings help you avoid potential issues related to outdated or insecure libraries.

Updated Build Menu and Actions

We've refined the Build menu for a more intuitive experience:

New 'Build run-configuration-name' Action: Builds the currently selected run configuration (e.g., :app or a specific test). This is now the default action for the toolbar button and Control/Command+F9.
Reordered Actions: The new build action is prioritized at the top, followed by Compile and Assemble actions.
Clearer Naming: "Rebuild Project" is now "Clean and Assemble Project with Tests". "Make Project" is renamed to "Assemble Project", and a new "Assemble Project with Tests" action is available.

The Build menu includes behavior and naming changes to simplify and streamline the experience.

Standardized Config Directories

Switching between Stable, Beta, and Canary versions of Android Studio is now smoother. Configuration directories are standardized, removing the "Preview" suffix for non-stable builds. We've also added the micro version (e.g., AndroidStudio2024.3.2) to the path, allowing different feature drops to run side-by-side without conflicts. This simplifies managing your IDE settings, especially if you work with multiple Android Studio installations.

IntelliJ platform update

Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop (2024.3.2) includes the IntelliJ 2024.3 platform release, which has many new features such as a feature complete K2 mode, more reliable Java** and Kotlin code inspections, grammar checks during indexing, debugger improvements, speed and quality of life improvements to Terminal, and more.

For more information, read the full IntelliJ 2024.3 release notes.

Summary

Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop (2024.3.2) delivers these key features and enhancements:

Developer Productivity:
Compose and UI:
Build and Deploy:
IntelliJ Platform Update

Getting Started

Ready to elevate your Android development? Download Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop and start using these powerful new features today!

As always, your feedback is crucial. Check known issues, report bugs, suggest improvements, and connect with the community on LinkedIn, Medium, YouTube, or X. Let's continue building amazing Android apps together!

^**Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Source: Android Developers Blog

Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop is stable

Posted by Adarsh Fernando, Group Product Manager

Today, we're excited to announce the stable release of Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop (2024.3.2)!

Read on to learn about the key updates in Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop, and download the latest stable version today to explore them yourself!

Developer Productivity Enhancements

Analyze Crash Reports with Gemini in Android Studio

Gemini helps you investigate, understand, and resolve crashes in your app much more quickly in the App Quality Insights tool window.

Generate Unit Test Scenarios with Gemini

Gemini helps you generate unit test scenarios for your app.

Gemini Prompt Library

The prompt library saves your frequently used Gemini prompts to make them easier to use.

You have the option to store prompts on IDE level or Project level:

IDE level prompts are private and can be used across multiple projects.
Project level prompts can be shared across teams working on the same project (if .idea folder is added to VCS).

Compose and UI Development

Themed Icon Support Preview

Themed icon support in Preview helps you visually check how your existing launcher icon adapts to monochromatic theming.

Compose Preview Enhancements

Iterating on your Compose UI is now faster and better organized:

Enhanced Zoom: Navigate complex layouts more easily with smoother, more responsive zooming in your Compose previews.
Collapsible Groups: Tidy up your preview surface by collapsing groups of related composables under their @Preview annotation names, letting you focus on specific parts of the UI without clutter.
Grid Mode by Default: Grid mode is now the default for a clear overview. Gallery mode (for flipping through individual previews) is available via right-click, while List view has been removed to streamline the experience.

Compose previews render more smoothly and make it easier to hide previews you’re not focused on.

Build and Deploy

KMP Shared Module Integration

The new Kotlin Multiplatform module template makes it easier to add shared business logic to your existing app.

Updated UX for Adding Devices

Create Virtual Device: New filters, recommendations, and creation flow guide you towards creating AVDs that are best suited for your intended purpose and your machine's performance.
Add Remote Devices: With Android Device Streaming, powered by Firebase, you can connect and debug your app with a variety of real physical devices. With a new catalog view and filters, it's now easier to locate and start using the device you need in just a few clicks.

It’s now easier to configure virtual devices that are optimized for your workstation.

Google Play Deprecated SDK Warnings

Play deprecated SDK warnings help you avoid potential issues related to outdated or insecure libraries.

Updated Build Menu and Actions

We've refined the Build menu for a more intuitive experience:

New 'Build run-configuration-name' Action: Builds the currently selected run configuration (e.g., :app or a specific test). This is now the default action for the toolbar button and Control/Command+F9.
Reordered Actions: The new build action is prioritized at the top, followed by Compile and Assemble actions.
Clearer Naming: "Rebuild Project" is now "Clean and Assemble Project with Tests". "Make Project" is renamed to "Assemble Project", and a new "Assemble Project with Tests" action is available.

The Build menu includes behavior and naming changes to simplify and streamline the experience.

Standardized Config Directories

IntelliJ platform update

For more information, read the full IntelliJ 2024.3 release notes.

Summary

Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop (2024.3.2) delivers these key features and enhancements:

Developer Productivity:
Compose and UI:
Build and Deploy:
IntelliJ Platform Update

Getting Started

Ready to elevate your Android development? Download Android Studio Meerkat Feature Drop and start using these powerful new features today!

^**Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Source: Android Developers Blog

Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop is Stable!

Posted by Steven Jenkins – Product Manager, Android Studio

Today, we are thrilled to announce the stable release of Android Studio Ladybug 🐞 Feature Drop (2024.2.2)!

Accelerate your productivity with Gemini in Android Studio, Animation Preview support for Wear Tiles, App Links Assistant and much more. All of these new features are designed to help you build high-quality Android apps faster.

Read on to learn more about all the updates, quality improvements, and new features across your key workflows in Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop, and download the latest stable version today to try them out!

Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop

Gemini in Android Studio

Gemini Code Transforms

Gemini Code Transforms can help you modify, optimize, or add code to your app with AI assistance. Simply right-click in your code editor and select "Gemini > Generate code" or highlight code and select "Gemini > Transform selected code." You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+\ (⌘+\ on macOS) to bring up the Gemini prompt. Describe the changes you want to make to your code, and Gemini will suggest a code diff, allowing you to easily review and accept only the suggestions you want.

With Gemini Code Transforms, you can simplify complex code, perform specific code transformations, or even generate new functions. You can also refine the suggested code to iterate on the code suggestions with Gemini. It's an AI coding assistant right in your editor, helping you write better code more efficiently.

Gemini Code Transform

Rename

Gemini in Android Studio enhances your workflow with intelligent assistance for common tasks. When renaming a single variable, class, or method from the code editor, the "Refactor > Rename" action uses Gemini to suggest contextually appropriate names, making it smoother and more efficient to refactor names as you’re coding in the editor.

A code editor window open to Gemini renaming a variable in Android Studio

Rename

Rethink

For larger renaming refactors, Gemini can "Rethink variable names" across your whole file. This feature analyzes your code and suggests more intuitive and descriptive names for variables and methods, improving readability and maintainability.

A code editor window open to Gemini analyzing code and suggesting more descriptive names for variables in Android Studio

Rethink

Commit Message

Gemini now assists with commit messages. When committing changes to version control, it analyzes your code modifications and suggests a detailed commit message.

Commit Message

Generate Documentation

Gemini in Android Studio makes documenting your code easier than ever. To generate clear and concise documentation, select a code snippet, right-click in the editor and choose "Gemini > Document Function" (or "Document Class" or "Document Property", depending on the context). Gemini will generate a draft that you can then refine and perfect before accepting the changes. This streamlined process helps you create informative documentation quickly and efficiently.

A code editor window open to Gemini adding documentation to a code snippet in Android Studio

Generate Documentation

Debug

Animation Preview support for Wear OS Tiles

Animation Preview support for Wear OS Tiles helps you visualize and debug tile animations with ease. It provides a real-time view of your animations, allowing you to preview them, control playback with options like play, pause, and speed adjustment, and inspect key properties such as initial/end states and animation curves. You can even dynamically modify animation code and instantly observe the results within the inspector, streamlining the debugging and refinement process.

A code editor window open to animation preview support in Android Studio

Animation Preview support for Wear OS Tiles

Wear Health Services

The Wear Health Services feature in Android Studio simplifies the process of testing health and fitness apps by enabling Wear Health Services within the emulator. You can now easily customize various parameters for a given exercise such as heart rate, distance, and speed without needing a physical device or performing the activity itself. This streamlines the development and testing workflow, allowing for faster iteration and more efficient debugging of health-related features.

Wear Health Services

Optimize

App Links Assistant

App Links Assistant simplifies the process of implementing app links by serving valid JSON syntax that resolves broken deep links for your app. You can review the JSON file and then upload it to your website, resolving issues quickly. This eliminates the manual creation of the JSON file, saving you time and effort. The tool also allows you to compare existing JSON files with newly generated ones to easily identify any discrepancies.

App Links Assistant

Google Play SDK Insights Integration

Android Studio now provides enhanced lint warnings for public SDKs from the Google Play SDK Index and the Google Play SDK Console, helping you identify and address potential issues. These warnings alert you if an SDK is outdated, violates Google Play policies, or has known security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, Android Studio provides helpful quick fixes and recommended version ranges whenever possible, making it easier to update your dependencies and keeping your app more secure and compliant.

Android Studio displays a code editor window open to a Gradle build file. The IDE warns that an outdated Firebase authentication library is being used, preventing release to Google Play Console.

Google Play SDK Insights Integration

Quality improvements

Beyond new features, we also continued to improve the overall quality and stability of Android Studio. In fact, the Android Studio team addressed over 770 bugs during the Ladybug Feature Drop development cycle.

IntelliJ platform update

Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop (2024.2.2) includes the IntelliJ 2024.2 platform release, which has many new features such as more intuitive full line code completion suggestions, a preview in the Search Everywhere dialog and improved log management for the Java^** and Kotlin programming languages.

See the full IntelliJ 2024.2 release notes.

Summary

To recap, Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop includes the following enhancements and features:

Gemini in Android Studio

Gemini Code Transforms
Rename
Rethink
Commit Message
Generate Documentation

Debug

Animation Preview support for Wear OS Tiles
Wear Health Services

Optimize

App Links Assistant
Google Play SDK Insights Integration

Quality Improvements

770+ bugs addressed

IntelliJ Platform Update

More intuitive full line code completion suggestions
Preview in the Search Everywhere dialog
Improved log management for Java and Kotlin programming languages

Getting Started

Ready for next-level Android development? Download Android Studio Ladybug Feature Drop and unlock these cutting-edge features today. As always, your feedback is important to us – check known issues, report bugs, suggest improvements, and be part of our vibrant community on LinkedIn, Medium, YouTube, or X. Let's build the future of Android apps together!

^**Java is a trademark or registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates.

Source: Android Developers Blog

Introducing Android Instant Apps SDK 1.1

Jichao Li, Software Engineer; Shobana Ravi, Software Engineer

Since our public launch at Google I/O, we've been working hard to improve the developer experience of building instant apps. Today, we're excited to announce availability of the Android Instant Apps SDK 1.1 with some highly-requested features such as improved NDK support, configuration APKs for binary size reduction, and a new API to maintain user's context when they transition from an instant app to the installed app.

Introducing configuration APKs

For a great instant app experience, app binaries need to be lean and well structured. That's why we're introducing configuration APKs.

Configuration APKs allow developers to isolate device-specific resources and native libraries into independent APKs. For an application that uses configuration APKs, the Android Instant Apps framework will only load the resources and native libraries relevant to the user's device, thereby reducing the total size of the instant app on the device.

We currently support configuration APKs for display density, CPU architecture (ABI), and language. With these, we have seen an average reduction of 10% in the size of the binaries loaded. Actual savings for a given app depend on the number of resource files and native libraries that can be configured.

As an example, a user on an ARM device with LDPI screen density and language set to Chinese would then receive device-agnostic code and resources, and then only get the configuration APKs that have ARM native libraries, the Chinese language, and LDPI resources. They would not receive any of the other configuration APKs such as the x86 libraries, Spanish language strings, or HDPI resources.

Setting up configuration APKs for your app is a simple change to your gradle setup. Just follow the steps in our public documentation.

Persistent user context after installation

On Android Oreo, the internal storage of the instant version of the app is directly available to the installed version of the app. With this release of the SDK, we are enabling this functionality on older versions of the Android Framework, including Lollipop, Marshmallow, and Nougat devices.

To extract the internal storage of the instant app, installed apps can now call InstantAppsClient.getInstantAppData() using the Instant Apps Google Play Services API and get a ZIP file of the instant app's internal storage.

Check out our code sample and documentation for more details on how to use this API.

Start building your Android Instant App

It's simple to start building your instant app on the latest SDK. Just open the SDK Manager in Android Studio and update your Instant Apps Development SDK to 1.1.0. We can't wait to see what instant app experiences you build with these new features.