Like every year, Google unveils in the first weeks the Developer Preview of its next major version of Android. Here is Android 14 DP1.
The Google calendar is now perfectly mastered. In February, the firm unveils the new major version of the Android system and deploys the Developer Preview 1 for application creators. So here comes the era of Android 14.
Developer Preview, Beta and Final Release
The launch of this first version is also an opportunity for Google to recall its calendar. It has not changed compared to 2022. In February and March, Google is in its Developer Previews phase, with essentially substantive changes for the system and in the APIs.
The most interesting comes from April with the first Beta versions which will integrate the major new features of Android 14 for users. Then from the summer, Google will offer more stable versions before deploying a stable version of the system at the start of the school year with its partners. This is what the schedule of changes for Android should be in the coming months.
What’s new in this Developer Preview 1?
According to Google, Android 14 is built on the work done by Google on Android 13 and Android 12L to better support different form factors of devices: foldable screen smartphones, tablets, etc. For Android 14, the key word will be synchronization between ecosystem devices, starting with better management of audio devices.
Android 14 also includes security changes, including removing compatibility with apps that still target versions before Android 6.0. It was with this version that Google introduced a new permission system. By aiming for older versions, the developers escaped this constraint.
This Developer Preview 1 is primarily intended for application creators. Among other important changes, there is a change in the way alarms work, developers will have to ask the user for permission, as they can consume resources and lower the autonomy of the device. We can also mention the support for Java 17 or the possibility of pushing the font to 200%, which will require interface adaptations for developers.
Which Google Pixels are compatible?
This first Developer Preview is reserved for Google smartphones. It is possible to install it now on the following devices:
We can notice that the Google Pixel 4a launched in September 2020 is therefore not affected by Android 14 for the moment.
Installation is currently done by flashing the system image on the phone. An operation reserved for experienced users.
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