Android 14, the upcoming version of the most widely used mobile operating system, will bring with it improved privacy settings, security measures, and overall efficiency. Google, which oversees the OS, has also prioritized enhancements for devices with bigger displays, like as tablets and foldable smartphones. The final version of Android 14 is expected to arrive on your phone this autumn, but for now it is only accessible as a developer preview. We’ve outlined the highlights that have attracted our attention thus far, and we’ll keep doing so when the firm announces new features in the coming months.
In case you were wondering, the alphabetical Android dessert names were officially discontinued by Google with Android 10, while the versions are still codenamed internally using the same approach. Upside Down Cake replaces last year’s Android 13, Tiramisu, as the “U” letter dessert. Now, let’s get down to business.
How to Download and Install Android 14
Thus far, Google has released two Android 14 developer previews. Developers may use these previews to experiment with the next version of the mobile OS, find out about any new features, and get their applications and games ready to run smoothly on the next platform. There are still bugs and instability with Android 14, therefore we don’t advise upgrading just yet. We advise you to wait for Google’s official beta version, which is expected to be released soon.
In order to experience the preview, you will need to unlock the bootloader on a Google Pixel smartphone and perform a factory reset. These are the official Android Developers‘ guidelines if you want to give it a shot with a spare phone you have lying around. Always start by creating a backup of your Android device.
Top Android 14 Features
There is much conjecture about what will make it into the final product, but we are spotlighting our favorite additions and enhancements thus far. Google’s developer site has further information. Thus yet, Android 14 seems to be little more than a minor update compared to its predecessor.
Improved Battery Life
There isn’t a flashy new feature, but Google has put in a lot of work to make Android more efficient and cut down on battery use. With a few adjustments and improvements, Android users should be able to get a bit longer battery life out of their phones. This is because to changes in how the operating system handles background processes, downloads, and uploads. It appears that Android 12’s removal of the battery settings menu’s “screen time since last full charge” option has been restored.
Larger Fonts and Smarter Scaling
On Android 13, Google’s Pixel phones could only scale fonts to a maximum of 130 percent, but in Android 14, that number has been increased to 200 percent. Nonlinear scaling is used to eliminate illogical layouts and make text more legible for those with visual impairments. This implies that words that are already scaled up (such as headlines) will not get larger.
Notification Flashes
With Android 14, you can set up flash notifications for both the camera and the screen. Although this feature has been available on some Android phones (such as Samsung devices) and iPhones for some time now, it has never been integrated into either system. You have the option of activating either one, or both, and selecting the flash color for your display. Though it was created with the deaf in mind, it might be useful for anybody who doesn’t want their phone to beep or make a noise whenever they get a message.
Restricting Photo and Video Access
If you don’t feel comfortable giving an app access to all of your photographs and videos, you’ll be happy to know that Android 14 includes the ability to choose which images and videos the app is permitted to access. Apple’s iOS 14 includes a functionally identical capability.
Since Apple introduced Emergency SOS by Satellite with the iPhone 14 last year, there has been considerable talk regarding the possibility of satellite connectivity for mobile devices. This was verified by a tweet from Google’s senior vice president for Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, who stated that Android 14 will support such connectivity. What this will imply in practice is still up in the air, but it has the potential to improve connection in locations where there is now no cell coverage.
Predictive Back Gestures
Although Google has not made this feature public, it is present in the most recent developer preview and allows you to see a preview of the screen that a swipe-back motion will take you to. The present state of Android makes it unclear where a back swipe will take you; it might send you back to the home screen, back to the previous screen, or back to the app. Maybe now everything will make sense.
App Cloning
Those that use the same app on two different devices will find this useful. Launching an application twice means you may switch between two accounts quickly and easily. There are applications available from some smartphone makers and other workarounds, but an official Android option in the settings menu is preferable. This is currently in the testing phase at Google and may or may not be included in the final version of Android 14.
Conclusion
As with every new release, Android 14 brings exciting new features and improvements to the table. From a revamped notification system and enhanced privacy controls to improved performance and updated design elements, users can expect a smoother, more intuitive experience. Additionally, developers will appreciate the expanded capabilities for creating powerful apps with increased functionality. Overall, Android 14 is a significant step forward for the platform, and it’s sure to provide users with even more reasons to love their Android devices.