Google has put out an early developer preview of Android N, the next operating system in the series. The search engine giant generally gives fans, developers a first look at the new OS at its annual I/O developer conference, so this preview comes as a surprise.

Google says that with Android N, it will be provide monthly updates, over the air (OTA) and developers won't have to flash the device.

Split-screen multitasking

The device screen can show two different apps simultaneously, and video apps will support picture-in-picture.

The system fills the screen with two apps, showing them either one-above-the-other or side-by-side. The user can drag the dividing line separating the two, in order to make one app bigger and the other smaller.

Notifications

With this new feature, you can now reply directly from notifications, and the interface will allow you to see more app information than what you did previously.

The Direct Reply feature will allow you to quickly respond to text messages or update task lists within the notification interface. The inline reply action is an additional button attached to the notification.

There is also 'Bundled Notifications' that groups notifications from the same app together. For example, individual messages from a messaging app. Grouped notifications can be expanded into notifications by tapping the new expansion button or a two-finger gesture.

Project Svelte ? reducing RAM usage

Project Svelte is an effort by Google to minimize RAM use by apps and system across the range of Android devices in the ecosystem. In Android N, Project Svelte is focused on optimizing the way apps run in the background.

Quick Settings

In Android N, the company has expanded the scope of Quick Settings and included more room for additional Quick Settings tiles that can be accessed across a paginated display area by swiping right or left.

Android TV

Android N will add the ability to playback and record content from Android TV input services through new recording APIs.

Android for Work

Android for Work has been updated with new feature and APIs for devices running Anroid N. Profile owners can specify a separate security challenge for apps running in the work profile.