Google Champions ART’s Independent Update Feature
Google’s recent blog entry lavishly praises the Android Runtime (ART) for its newfound capacity to undergo updates without the need for a complete OS revamp. Functioning as Android’s heart and soul, ART converts Java and Kotlin into bytecode, executing them with precision. One striking advantage is ART’s ability to significantly speed up apps, even in the absence of a comprehensive OS update. With Android 13’s version of ART, Google observed apps initiating up to 30% quicker on certain gadgets.
ART’s Transformation to a Modular Component
In its Android 12 iteration, ART transitioned into a modular segment of the OS (recognized as an APEX module). This meant updates could now funnel through the Play Store, sidestepping the usual system updates. Present data indicates around 31% of users, translating to a whopping 600 million individuals, now experience an enhanced and swift app mechanism, thanks to this. According to Google, while many components underwent the APEX transformation, ART emerged as the most substantial, boasting “a multitude of APIs more than any other APEX module.”
Notable Improvements in ART 13 Version
Google furnished evidence showcasing how ART 13 influenced average app initiation times. Delving deeper into ART 13’s release with Android 13, Google highlighted how the update expedites transitions to and from native code. The outcome? A staggering 30% reduction in app startup duration on select devices.
What to Expect from the Upcoming ART 14 Update
Anticipation runs high for ART 14, with Google hinting at a migration from OpenJDK 11 to OpenJDK 17. This shift promises improved performance paired with reduced code dimensions. Android users can expect its release on Android 14 soon, initiating a sequence of Play Store updates.
