Connect with us

Android

Android to gain performance boost with more RAM and 16 KB page size

Published

on

Google

Key Points:

  1. Android’s switch to a 16 KB page size offers a 5-10% performance boost but uses 9% more memory.
  2. Google is working to make Android adaptable to different page sizes, improving app launch times, power efficiency, and system boot time.
  3. Full support for the 16 KB page size is expected in future Android devices with more RAM.

Google is enhancing Android’s performance by supporting a 16 KB page size, a change that’s now undergoing broader testing. This update, focused on memory management, could significantly speed up Android devices.

Every CPU has a memory management unit (MMU) that translates program addresses to physical memory locations, and this translation occurs based on page size. When the page size is larger—like 16 KB instead of the traditional 4 KB—the system has to do less work, reducing overhead. This leaves more processing power for tasks like rendering videos, playing games, and running applications smoothly.

Historically, Android was designed to run on a 4 KB page size. However, Google has discovered that switching to a 16 KB page size can lead to an overall performance improvement of 5-10%, although this does increase memory usage by about 9%. Here are some specific benefits:

  • Faster App Launches: Under memory pressure, app launch times improved by an average of 3.16%, with some apps seeing up to a 30% boost.
  • Lower Power Consumption: During app launches, devices used 4.56% less power on average.
  • Quicker Camera Start: Hot starts were 4.48% faster on average, while cold starts improved by 6.60%.
  • Improved System Boot Time: Boot times saw a 1.5% improvement, saving approximately 0.8 seconds.

With the upcoming Android 15, Google has redesigned the operating system to be flexible with different page sizes, allowing it to function well whether the device uses a 4 KB or 16 KB page size. However, developers will need to recompile their apps to take full advantage of the 16 KB page size, although the same app can still run on both 4 KB and 16 KB devices.

Developers can start testing this feature with the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1 on the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro. However, this “Boot with 16KB page size” option requires wiping the device and unlocking the bootloader, making it impractical for everyday use.

Google is collaborating with its SoC and OEM partners to extend this option to more devices soon and is also providing an x86_64 emulator for testing.

Although there are no Android devices currently in production or expected in the immediate future that support a 16 KB page size, Google anticipates that this change will align with the development of devices featuring larger amounts of RAM. As these devices emerge, the adoption of the 16 KB page size, and potentially even larger sizes, will become more common, leading to even greater performance improvements in Android devices.

Source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Android

Google’s May 2025 Android updates: better performance and messaging

Published

on

Google

Google’s May 2025 Android updates bring exciting changes to improve how your phone works and how you message. These updates focus on making devices faster, safer, and more user-friendly.
One big change is to Android’s memory system. By increasing the memory page size from 4KB to 16KB on newer devices, apps can load quicker and use less power. This helps phones, especially those with modern chips, run smoothly and save battery life. Older devices will stick with the smaller page size to avoid issues.

The Google System Updates for May also add new features. Google Wallet now supports more card types and makes transit passes easier to use in apps like Google Maps. The Play Store now shows video previews of apps, helping you decide what to download. There are also fixes to improve battery life, storage, and network performance, making your phone more reliable.

For Google Messages, a new “delete for everyone” feature lets you remove sent messages from group chats within 15 minutes. This works for both RCS and SMS, so you can fix mistakes easily. Other messaging upgrades include better scam detection and the ability to send high-quality photos and videos. These updates show Google’s effort to make Android devices faster, more secure, and better for communication. Keep your phone updated to enjoy these improvements!

Continue Reading

Android

New updates for YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps

Published

on

Google

Google is rolling out exciting changes to its YouTube, Gemini, and Google Home apps, making them more user-friendly and packed with cool features. These updates, announced in May 2025, aim to improve how you watch videos, edit images, and control your smart home.

The YouTube app for TVs is getting a fresh look. You’ll see better video previews, easier ways to subscribe to channels, and a smoother interface for browsing playlists and comments. Autoplay will also work smarter, keeping you hooked on your favorite content without extra clicks. These changes will hit your screens by summer 2025, perfect for binge-watching on Google TV or Android TV.

Meanwhile, the Gemini app now lets you edit images like a pro. Want to change a photo’s background or add fun elements? Just type what you want, and Gemini’s AI makes it happen while keeping the original picture intact. It even adds a small “ai” watermark to show it’s edited. This feature is available in the U.S. and works on both uploaded and AI-made images, with more countries getting access soon.

The Google Home app (version 3.32) is also stepping up. It now supports more smart devices, like cameras and doorbells, and offers quicker controls for lights and thermostats. A new “Activity” tab lets you see what’s happening with your devices in one place, making your smart home easier to manage.

These updates show Google’s focus on making its apps simpler and more powerful, whether you’re streaming, creating, or managing your home. Keep an eye out for these changes to enhance your daily tech experience

Continue Reading

Android

Google Pixel phone and watch update for May 2025 brings fixes and a fresh app look

Published

on

Android Feature Drop

Google is rolling out its May 2025 software update for Pixel devices, making things smoother for phones, tablets, and the Pixel Watch app. This update is all about fixing bugs and adding a small but nice change for Pixel Watch users. It’s available for devices running Android 15, like the Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 series, and Pixel Tablet. The rollout started on May 7, 2025, and will reach devices over the next week, depending on your carrier.

For Pixel phones and tablets, the update tackles three key issues: better microphone recording, improved Bluetooth pairing, and general performance tweaks. It also includes 28 security fixes, with one possibly being targeted by hackers, so updating soon is a good idea. If you have a Pixel 6 or 8, note that this update locks the bootloader, meaning you can’t go back to older software versions.

On the Pixel Watch side, there’s no major device update this month, but the Pixel Watch app on Android now has a light theme option. This gives the app a brighter, cleaner look, making it easier to use in different lighting.

Google might share more about Wear OS at I/O 2025, but for now, the app’s new style is a welcome touch. To get the update, check your device settings. Pixel users can expect a notification soon, but you can also manually check for it. Stay updated for a better, safer experience.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 I AM Judge