Android Studio 4.1 made it onto the stable channel last month, bringing a number of useful new features for Android developers. There are some interesting inclusions this time around, so read on to see what you need to know! Embedded emulator One of the most interesting updates comes to the Android emulator, which is now built right into the IDE itself. In other words, the emulator no longer opens as a separate app but rather in a tool window. This is said to “save screen real-estate” for all us peasants working on sub 4K, 42” monitors. See also: Android Studio tutorial for beginners While this is mostly a cosmetic change, it does make the experience feel more cohesive and intuitive. It’s also easier to monitor code while the app is running. It is a great stride toward a more integrated and seamless experience. The feature is not turned on by default, however. To access it, you first need to update your preferences by going to File > Settings > Tools > Emulator ...
Material Design is a design language created by Google to encourage developers to implement cohesive and attractive UIs. Material Design relies on a number of guiding principles, as well as specific building blocks called Material Design components. This approach to UI is utilized across most of Google’s own apps and tools but is also found in many other Android apps and even websites. If you are an Android developer, having at least a passing understanding of Material Design can go a long way to giving your app that professional sheen that resonates with users. Fortunately, it is now easier than ever to implement Material Design components. But should you? The rules of Material Design If you want to learn the “rules” of Material Design, check out Google’s own Guidelines. Generally, everything in a Material Design app should represent physical “materials” and interactions. Elements should appear as though they are on a physical surface. Usually, this is flat card and paper. The...