Google on Wednesday announced the release of the first developer preview of Android 14, the next major version of the mobile operating system that powers Android smartphones and tablets.
Among the new features announced, there is better support for different screen sizes, with a focus on the form factors of tablets and foldable devices.
These changes build on the foundation that Google laid for large screens with Android 12L and Android 13.
A pretty clear hint of a foldable smartphone coming to Google
Google has established several guidelines to help developers create better apps for tablets and foldables, such as a gallery dedicated to interfaces that work on larger screens. Google is rumored to be working on a foldable Pixel phone that could go on sale this spring, but it would make more sense for Google to release its first such model alongside Android 14, an operating system designed for this. form factor.
There are also substantive improvements to streamline the way apps work together, with a focus on battery management and system health. Examples include improvements to the JobScheduler and Foreground Services.
Picture: Google.
The ability for users to customize the overall look of their Android device has been a big focus of Android 12 and Android 13. With Android 14, Google is adding better font scaling – up to 200%, an increase from the previous maximum of 130%. There are also per-app language preference improvements and a grammar inflection API for gender.
Do not use if you do not know how to flash your smartphone
Android 14’s privacy and security updates include changes to how dynamic code loading works to help mitigate exploits in code.
The update will also block installation on Android 14 devices of older apps that target SDK version 22 or earlier. This means apps will need to target Android 6, which uses API level 23, or newer. Android 6 was released in 2015.
Google also included developer tools, like support for OpenJDK 17 and improved change testing, with the ability to toggle changes through adb commands or developer options on the device.
Picture: Google.
Google has provided a schedule of future updates and expected releases of Android 14 until its eventual launch. There will be two developer previews, one in February and another in March, followed by four betas of Android 14, one per month, until the end of July.
As the name suggests, the first release of Android 14 is designed specifically for developers to give them time to work and integrate API changes into apps. It also allows those who like to live on the cutting edge of technology to get a glimpse of new features that are likely to debut in the final version of Android 14 which is currently slated for launch in late summer or early fall.
The developer preview is available as a manual download, and you’ll need to flash it to your device. If that doesn’t make sense to you, it’s best to wait until the beta program launches in April.
The Android 14 Developer Preview is available for Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 5A 5G, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro devices.
More information about the changes in Android 14, as well as information about system image flashing, can be found on the Android 14 developer site.
Source: ZDNet.com