UPDATE: 09/06/2023 09:00 EST BY ROLAND UDVARLAKI
We recurrently replace these posts to make sure they include up-to-date and related info with the newest information. We added a brand new rumored date for the official launch of Android 14, and the up to date brand and font for the Android working system.
Android 14 has been within the eyes of the general public since February 2023. The brand new working system will present a number of quality-of-life enhancements, making the most of new AI options, optimizations, and extra. Android is getting new wallpaper and lock display customization options, improved again gesture animations, app cloning options, and the power to uninstall some first-party purposes. At I/O 2023, Google saved the ball rolling by introducing new AI-based customization options which can be coming to assist make your gadget extra private. It additionally talked about modifications to over 50 purposes (core and third-party) that can make utilizing them on the Android tablets extra thrilling.
Right here, we’ll embody all the brand new options and enhancements that Android is bringing to the desk. You may discover the brand new options, enhancements, and small adjustments down under. We additionally added directions for putting in the developer and the beta previews, in addition to a number of Pixel-branded gadgets you need to use to check out the brand new Android 14 platform earlier than it rolls out to the general public and different gadget makers.
Android 14 is at the moment out there to the general public for testing through the beta program. In the event you’re enthusiastic about making an attempt out the upcoming replace you’ll be able to set up it in your Pixel gadget. However we advise in opposition to putting in it in your major gadget. These early releases typically include bugs that might break core functionalities and prohibit sure apps from working. However, should you do select to put in the beta model, make certain to again up your knowledge.
Google reveals a brand new brand for Android
On September 5, 2023, Google revealed a brand-new brand for the Android working system, alongside a brand new 3D robotic. The corporate modified the font that “extra carefully mirrors Google’s brand and creates stability between the 2”, stated Jason Fournier in Google’s weblog put up. “android”” can also be now capitalized.
Moreover, the corporate is returning the robotic with a brand new 3D look (referred to as “bugdroid”) that’ll change its look with numerous colours and themes primarily based on totally different events. Within the weblog put up, Google already confirmed off a disco ball-looking Android robotic, a unicorn, and one other with rainbow colours.
Our new visuals draw inspiration from Materials design to enrich the Google model palette, in addition to be adaptable. The refreshed and dynamic robotic reveals up the place Android connects with folks, group and cultural moments. It might mirror particular person passions, persona and context.
What’s Android 14 referred to as?
Google now not follows its dessert naming scheme and, as a substitute, applies a numerical quantity for every new launch. That stated, Google internally continued including candy names to its OS variations, and Android 14 is formally referred to as “Upside Down Cake”.
Upside Down Cake is the following new model after Tiramisu (Android 13), Snow Cone (Android 12), and Pink Velvet (Android 11).
When is Android 14 popping out?
Supply: Google, Illustration by Roland Udvarlaki (Pocketnow)
In line with timeline particulars shared by Google, Android 14 is about to observe a launch schedule just like earlier model updates. Developer Previews reached gadgets in Q1 2023. Beta releases had been printed in Q2 2023. Within the third quarter of the 12 months we noticed “Platform Stability” updates (Beta 3, 4, and 5) to exit.
In line with Mishaal Rahman, the Android 14 OS was scheduled to launch on September 5, 2023. OEMs had been anticipating the ultimate and official launch to be launched on the day, however Google apparently made a last-minute choice to delay it by a month. OEMs at the moment are reportedly advised that vulnerabilities detailed in Android 14 will probably be printed on October 4, which is coincidentally the date Google got down to launch its new gadgets, together with the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Professional, and the Pixel Watch 2.
Whereas we do not have an official affirmation, Mishaal has been correct up to now, and that is the one info we are able to go by presently. If true, we are able to anticipate the latest-generation Google Pixel gadgets, and the newest model of Android 14 introduced on the October 4 Made By Google occasion that’ll be held in New York.
Traditionally, Google launched the ultimate variations in August and September; we anticipate Android 14 to observe the pattern in 2023.
Platform Stability updates are a consolidated model the place Google will now not add or take away options, however slightly concentrate on refining the software program for public use.
What gadgets are suitable with Android 14 beta program?
Alongside the timeline, Google additionally introduced the suitable gadgets eligible to enter the Developer preview and Beta program. In a ordinary vogue, the checklist solely consists of Pixel gadgets, however it goes all the way in which again to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G). Yow will discover the complete checklist under:
$499 $600 Save $101
The brand new Google Pixel 7 is powered by the all-new Google Tensor G2 chipset. The gadget is coupled with 8GB of reminiscence, and it has 128/256GB storage tiers. The telephone comes with a considerably improved digital camera system, and it is extra transportable than the final era. The Pixel 7 is out there in Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow colours.
$699 $899 Save $200
The Google Pixel 7 Professional, powered by the brand new Google Pixel Tensor sensor, offers nice graphics efficiency and computing energy to allow you to simply play your entire favourite video games and multitask. The gadget additionally has a extremely succesful digital camera setup that is backed by a singular post-processing algorithm that helps obtain nice outcomes.
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable smartphone providing among the best {hardware} and software program in the marketplace. The gadget contains a 5.8-inch cowl show and a giant 7.6-inch foldable show. It’s powered by the Tensor G2 chipset and is backed by a 4,821 mAh battery.
$450 $500 Save $50
The Pixel 7a is the brand new inexpensive smartphone from Google, that includes much-awaited options equivalent to a 90Hz responsive show, a extra highly effective digital camera setup, and assist for wi-fi charging. The Pixel 7a is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, and it is the very best gadget within the A sequence but.
$299 $349 Save $50
In the event you do not care about excessive refresh charge, wi-fi charging, a glass again, and some different tidbits, this must be your telephone. It is a Pixel that options the identical chipset because the final 12 months’s Pixel 6 sequence however inexpensive. Try all of the offers on the gadget utilizing the hyperlinks given under.
The Google Pixel Pill goals to supply the very best large-screen leisure middle at residence. It is powered by the brand new Tensor G2 chipset, and has many sensible residence options built-in. It comes with a speaker dock to supply the final word transportable residence leisure expertise.
Find out how to set up the official Android 14 Beta?
The best approach to set up the Android 14 Beta 1 software program is by visiting the official web site. You probably have an eligible gadget, and also you’re signed in, you must see your Pixel smartphone on the checklist. You may opt-in and obtain the primary Beta replace through an OTA (Over-the-Air) replace inside a number of hours and set up the brand new OS.
In the event you later resolve to opt-out of the Android Beta Program, you will need to know that your gadget will probably be wiped should you go away earlier than the Android 14 secure model is launched. Which means you will should undergo a factory-reset, and you will lose your entire info. To opt-out, you’ll be able to go to the identical web page that you just used to sign-up, the place you will see your suitable gadgets and an “opt-out” button beneath them. After restoration, the gadget will probably be factory-reset and run the newest publicly out there model of Android 13.
You probably have an unlocked bootloader and wish to flash the manufacturing facility picture through fastboot, there’s a superb information at XDA you can observe.
What’s new in Android 14?
New system icon
Supply: Android
Android 14 has a brand new system icon resembling a mission badge for rockets. The brand new icon seems in system settings, notifications, and different pop-up home windows all through the working system.
Higher accessibility options
Google provides new accessibility options in each new Android launch. In Android 14, customers will have the ability to scale textual content as much as 200%. The scaling possibility beforehand maxed out at simply 130%. The scaling curve can even change to forestall scaling points with the format to a brand new non-linear possibility.
Moreover, proof means that Android 14 might make including listening to gadgets and listening to help doable through Bluetooth. The settings might present extra options to supported gadgets, offering higher audio for the customers.
Flash notifications
Android 14 Developer preview 2 added a brand new choice to flash the display in 12 pre-defined colours. The brand new possibility in settings permits customers to flash both the digital camera LED lights, or the display (or each) to flash when new notifications or alarms sound. This may be helpful to inform customers after they obtain a name, SMS textual content messages, notifications from apps, and different kinds of alarms. There are not any extra settings, and this could’t be custom-made on a person app foundation.
The brand new “Flash notifications” function could be present in:
Settings Accessibility Flash notifications
New again gesture animation
Earlier Android variations included the again gesture animation, however let’s simply say they weren’t all the time apparent. It was typically irritating and complicated, for the reason that animation blended in with the background, making it onerous to see. That seems to alter in Android 14, as Google unveiled a brand new design with a singular animation.
The brand new again gesture will now reveal the display you are about to go to, serving to you see the window you are about to navigate again. The brand new button will include its personal distinctive animation, which can even observe the brand new Materials You themed options to undertake the colour primarily based in your system settings and wallpaper.
Mishaal Rahman activated the flags, required to check out the brand new again gesture, and right here’s the way it appears in motion. As you’ll be able to see, the appliance provides a peeking animation, indicating customers that they’re about to depart the app, or return to a earlier state or window. The brand new interface additionally sports activities a brand new pill-shaped design that incorporates an arrow.
Whereas that’s all good and appears good in observe, the primary concern seems to be the brand new method this can be applied. Because it stands, builders must implement and assist this function on a per-app foundation, and it gained’t be the default habits in Android 14. The benefit is that builders can additional optimize and improve the expertise with extra visible variations. Nonetheless, the draw back is that there could also be much more confusion when utilizing the again gesture.
Solely time will inform whether or not builders will use this, and issues can nonetheless change when Android 14 Beta and the ultimate construct turns into out there later within the fall. In developer preview 2, Google began supporting this function within the settings on Pixel gadgets.
Blocking the set up of older apps
Android 14 will stop and prohibit sideloading purposes by default. Which means customers gained’t have the ability to obtain and set up purposes which can be concentrating on SDK variations 23 or decrease. For these unaware, the SDK dates again to 2015 and Android model 6.
Google explains that the older SDKs are used to put in malware and different malicious software program on Android gadgets, and this restriction is geared toward stopping that from occurring. The transfer will make it tougher to put in malicious software program on newer Android gadgets. Fortuitously, Android will allow customers to bypass this by overriding the settings through an ADB command.
adb set up –bypass-low-target-sdk-block APPLICATION.apk
Improved per-app language, and new regional preferences choices
Android 13 launched the choice to alter the language on a per-app foundation, enabling you to alter the language for choose purposes. In line with the newest findings, builders can show choose languages within the settings, permitting them to point out totally different choices for various areas.
Moreover, there could also be one other “regional preferences” possibility in settings that might allow you to alter the temperature models, and different quantity preferences throughout the menu. This is able to permit customers to alter the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, use totally different calendars, and alter the primary day of the week, and the quantity system you like utilizing.
The Regional Preferences function offers extra customization choices to each customers and builders. The operate might lastly imply that conversions are now not needed and may very well be achieved routinely in only a few faucets.
App cloning
Twin messenger on Samsung One UI 5.1
Many producers mean you can clone purposes, equivalent to WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and extra. These clone apps allow you to add a number of accounts to messaging apps, that might in any other case restrict you to a single account on a tool.
In line with the newest discoveries, the Android group could also be engaged on bringing the brand new function to Android 14, permitting customers to do the identical app cloning that has been out there on some gadgets for a number of years.
Lock display customization
At Google I/O 2023, Google revealed that Android 14 would allow customers to customise their lock screens with new clock face with numerous totally different kinds, new reside wallpapers, and colours. Widgets are additionally returning with icon packs, and much more choices to supply extra options for energy customers.
The brand new wallpaper possibility will allow customers to create their very own photographs utilizing emojis. Moreover, Google showcased a extra immersive method, utilizing synthetic parallax impact to show any wallpaper right into a reside picture. There can even be a method for customers to create wallpapers from textual content prompts, however Google hasn’t shipped this function within the beta releases, and it will reportedly solely be launched at a later date.
Community adjustments and the power to modify to eSIM throughout Android gadgets
Bodily SIM, eSIM, and iSIM, Supply: Pocketnow
Customers who depend on and use two SIM playing cards of their gadgets may need encountered an issue the place they needed to swap between the 2 numbers to get a greater reception. In line with some new findings, the method could quickly be automated, permitting customers to routinely swap between the 2 sim playing cards, primarily based on the sign of their native space. The choice will allow customers to quickly swap between networks to extend the sign power to make calls and entry the web.
Moreover, Android 14 might allow customers to show bodily SIM playing cards into eSIMs on the gadget itself. Assuming that the provider builds an answer to assist this technique, it might make switching and upgrading to new Android gadgets a lot simpler sooner or later, decreasing the necessity to contact the provider each time the SIM must be transferred.
This function dates all the way in which again to Android 13’s Developer Preview builds, and it might quickly arrive in Developer, and Beta builds in Android 14.
Choice to uninstall bloatware
Carriers love putting in bloatware on smartphones, and Google could be wanting into including an choice to take away these from the gadgets. A brand new discovering means that “Apps put in within the background” might quickly allow customers to take away these purposes which will have been put in by carriers and producer companions. We are able to solely hope this makes it onto the ultimate construct of Android 14 later within the fall, because it might lastly release priceless area on gadgets and permit customers to eliminate purposes they by no means use.
The share menu has undergone a number of adjustments up to now few years, and whereas it’s come a good distance, it’s nonetheless removed from excellent. Many purposes have totally different layouts and designed share menus, making it troublesome and generally complicated to pick out the platform or contact you wish to share info with.
To fight this, the share menu might quickly turn into unbiased of system updates, making it simpler for Google to implement and replace on gadgets. A common share menu may very well be a actuality as Google works on an answer to have one common share sheet throughout all Android 14 operating gadgets.