Google is expected to introduce the next Android, rumored to be version 8.0 or Android Oreo, in time for the tech giant's annual I/O Developers Conference and report said Android O will be smarter than Nougat. But some of the feature upgrades were previously seen with recent iPhone and Android flagship releases.

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It appears that the chief design for Android O is to optimize the mobile OS for features and functionalities that closely related to artificial intelligence. In the same way that Siri has become a central feature for the iPhone, Google Assistant will take the center stage once Android O becomes a reality.

One feature that likely will make it on the final cut of the OS, according to Venture Beat, is the ability to tap on address links sent via messaging apps. In doing so, Android 8.0 will then automatically launch Google Maps to present direction suggestions. In essence, the same feature is about Google Assistant in integrated function in the platform while working in the background.

Of note is the same feature was first introduced by Apple with iOS. In adopting the functionality, it's unclear how Google will apply tweaks to give the feature its distinct Android identity.

Also planned as feature upgrade for the next Android is Copy Less, which will enable upcoming Android handsets to sift through texts intelligently and filter on the things that matter to users for possible sharing. The smart feature, when in play, will indeed allow for fewer amounts of copying when sharing relevant information to one's network of friends.

Lastly, Venture Beat's source claimed that if plans push through the next Android will include gesture commands to pull up application or perform specific tasks. One sample gesture would be users writing C on the screen and Android O will launch the camera app. The same report noted that the Huawei Mate 9 has implemented the same smart gesture functions.

Venture Beat added that smart gesture is somewhat identical to the 3D Touch feature that Apple has introduce with the iPhone 6S but with different implementation.

As always case, leaked feature upgrades for mobile devices, be they software or hardware bumps, don't always pan out as the report made clear that the rumored new functionalities mentioned above will not necessarily become part of Android 8.0 or Oreo when deployed later this 2017. Still, the next Android is up for introduction via Google's I/O 2017 gathering.