Google is working on an interesting tool expected for Android 13. The latter will make it easier for developers to test the behavior of their applications when they are, for example, confronted with a low cellular or Wi-Fi connection speed.
Developing an application also means ensuring that it will be able to function properly in unfavorable connectivity situations. To make it easier for developers to test how their apps behave with limited, reduced, or just passable connection speeds, Google is working on a dedicated tool that it obviously plans to add to Android 13.
More specifically, we learn from the Esper blog, whose comments are relayed to us by Android Police, that Google has added code to Android’s network connectivity APIs to allow developers to manually limit the bandwidth on the next version of the BONE. This manual clamping can be operated for Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity, allowing for precise testing. Perfect for simulating more or less delicate connectivity contexts.
A feature not available on some devices?
However, it seems that this novelty will be reserved for certain devices only, those equipped with a kernel having specific configuration options, in particular CONFIG_NET_SCHED and CONFIG_NET_SCH_INGRESS, tells us Android Police. It would not be the first time that Android 13 reserves functions for certain devices only (this is for example the case with the adjustment of the brightness on the flashlight), but in the case that interests us today , this limited compatibility will not affect the end user: only the developers will be concerned and will have to equip themselves with a compatible mobile to carry out their tests.
In any case, note that this addition to Android’s network connectivity APIs is not yet functional in the current version of Android 13. There are indications, however, that Google could activate it with the first full beta. of Android 13, expected next month. Interested developers will therefore have to be patient for a few more weeks.
For others, it is always possible to try the Android 13 Developer Preview 2. Here we explain how to install it on your device.
To follow us, we invite you to download our Android and iOS application. You can read our articles, files, and watch our latest YouTube videos.