Android 13’s first developer preview is here. This is what we know so far. Android 12 only simply made its debut on a small choice of the world’s satisfactory smartphones, however, we’re already searching in advance to Android 13.
The next massive new release of Google’s mobile operating system has already considered one developer preview launch. What’s more, it appears like we may see a stable launch a good deal before this year as compared to the last.
What is Android 13: Name and release date
Before Android 10, Google named its OS versions after sweet treats. Although it has switched to a number publically, it regularly nonetheless refers to versions as confectionary internally. Thanks to the first developer preview, we comprehend the codename for Android 13 is “Tiramisu.” This is the first time in a lengthy whilst we’ve seen Google be so upfront with the codename.
As for Android 13’s release date, Google has shared a schedule. Judging from that schedule, we anticipate at least two developer previews, at least 4 betas, and a stable launch someday in August 2022. However, things ought to trade extensively between now and then, so don’t make too many assumptions just yet.
Android 13: Design changes
Android 12 added one of the operating system’s most massive UI revamps in years with Material You. The new interface permits extra personable customization options, from wallpaper-based color palette controls to greater intuitive animations. Android 13 does now not show up to change things as radically, however, Google is nonetheless going to deliver new features and design tweaks.
Google shared the screenshots above when it launched the first developer preview. It appears the 2022 version of Android will allow you to theme your icons just like you theme the rest of the operating system with Android 12.
there are two caveats here. The first is that this will only be available on Pixel devices, at least when it first launches. The second is that this will only work with apps in which the developer has included a monochrome icon for Material You to use.
In other words, don’t expect a totally robust and complete theming experience when Android 13 first drops. It might take a while before this is truly as automatic as Google envisions.
More Material You theming options
According to a rumor primarily based on leaked code, Android 13 ought to extend the handy color-theming preferences by offering 4 new palettes pertaining to particular shades or complementary hues.
These experiences consist of TONAL_SPOT, VIBRANT, EXPRESSIVE, and SPRITZ. While the first two choices are strikingly similar, the latter two are a stark departure from Android 12’s cutting-edge theming system. ‘Expressive’ seemingly leans on colors no longer directly sourced from the wallpaper, whilst ‘Spritz’ opts for a greater grayscale, neutral selection.
This possibly isn’t quite the granular control many customers are searching for, however, it’s a start. Better yet, we can also see this feature debut on the upcoming stable version of Android 12L, however, there’s an extraordinarily slim chance of this happening.
Android 13: features improvements
Android 12 introduced several new utilities, including baked-in scrolling screenshot support and one-handed mode, smarter auto-rotate settings, and an AppSearch feature. But what could Android 13 bring?
More intuitive QR scanner support
QR code scanning is needlessly clumsy on Android, but this could be a thing of the past. There’s a quick toggle button in the first developer preview that suggests an easily accessible QR scanner will be present. However, the button currently does nothing. It’s unclear what Google has in mind here, but it does seem to be working on ways to make this an easier experience for users.
Native Bluetooth LE Audio support
Wireless audio could get a welcome boost with Android 13. According to a pair of AOSP commits spotted by Mishaal Rahman, the next version of Android could be the first with full, baked-in support for Bluetooth LE Audio and the Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3). The codec is a pretty big deal, touting lower power usage and improved audio quality across supported devices.
Tap to transfer media controls
A surprise addition could bring smarter media sharing across multiple devices. According to leaked details from “an anonymous and trusted source,” Android Police uncovered a tap-to-transfer (TTT) system that’ll allow users to pass on media controls to other devices.
It’s unclear how the feature may work, but it would likely use short-range wireless tech, like NFC or UWB. Of course, that alone limits this feature’s compatibility with current devices. There’s no evidence in code that Google’s working on such a feature, so take this with a pinch of salt until we learn more.
Silent mode is truly silent
When you set your phone to silent, it should be truly silent. However, vibrations and haptics still happen in this mode. In Android 13, though, silent mode disables everything, giving you true silence while using your phone.
Reworked audio output selector
Android 13 could rework the audio output picker, according to an Android Police report. An unnamed source provided screenshots of the feature, which seems to be a purely aesthetic redesign to better fit the Material You scheme.
‘Panlingual’ per-app language settings
If you’re multilingual, this could be the best addition to Android 13. The first developer preview includes per-app language toggles. This would allow users to set specific languages for specific apps, separate from the system setting.
Secondary profiles for NFC payments
According to commits made back in July 2021 (h/t XDA), Android 13 could allow multiple users on a device to set up their own NFC payments service on their respective profiles.
Privacy and security updates
Privacy and security are ever important for Google. With every new Android release, the company makes the operating system more secure and more private, with more user control over the things that matter most. Android 13 is no exception.
Private photo picker
When you share a document with an Android app, the document picker that pops up is pretty secure. It doesn’t allow the app to have access to all your documents, just the ones you select. The photo picker, however, hasn’t been this secure. In the new version of Android, though, that’s changing. Check it out in action below.
The Android thirteen photo picker will be baked without delay into Android itself, which will make choosing each local and cloud storage pics universal throughout applications. To make this even better news, you won’t want Android 13 to see this feature: Google will push this to all Android 11 and Android 12 phones the usage of the Google Play Store with the exception of Android Go-based phones.
NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES
If an app needs to locate close by Wi-Fi devices in Android 12, it probably needs location permission. This is needlessly insecure. In Android 13, Google is introducing the new NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES runtime permission, which offers these apps a new alternative that doesn’t require useless location access.
Android 13: Under upgrades
Current important points suggest Google will make a few tweaks to Android 13 below the skin. Permissions dealing with and battery consumption may, as soon as again, acquire specific nip-tucks.
Notification runtime permission
Android 13 should add new runtime permission to make notifications an opt-in ride for all apps (h/t XDA). Interestingly, this would permit users to manage notifications, comparable to how Android 12 commands microphone and camera access. This would greatly benefit those who seek overarching sway over rowdy apps.
The Android Resource Economy
Finally, one rumor suggests better power optimization may want to be on the cards thanks to TARE, or The Android Resource Economy.
According to as soon as once more to XDA, the function is reportedly an extra complicated, credit-based electricity administration machine that approves or disallows duties requested by using apps primarily based on how low a device’s battery is. It sounds incredibly complicated and there Are certainly no longer ample records to give an explanation for it entirely, however it should be a function to watch out for in the coming weeks.
