An expansion of dynamic icons, fresh security settings, desktop layouts for foldable devices, and more.
Google has announced the release of Android 13 Developer Preview (DP), aimed at developers. So far this is a very early build, but it already offers some improvements. We chose the main ones that Google itself told about.
Table of Contents
Privacy & Security
Google Android 13 DP added a feature to select photos and videos that can be accessed by apps on demand. This will be useful when a new program requires access to media files, but you would like to keep some of them private.
Over time, this feature will come to all Android 11 devices through system component updates via Google Play.
Also added is a new permission to access Wi-Fi networks nearby without the need to determine the user’s location.
Interface
App developers will have a new API for placing tiles with quick settings (Quick Settings) in the Android curtain. In one click, you can add a new contextual function there.
One of the major design improvements of Material You is the ability to use themed icons for all applications. True, for this, developers will have to provide monochrome versions of the icons, which will be painted by the system.
In Android 12, icon colors adjust to the wallpaper palette only for standard Google programs (and the feature itself is still in beta).
Other visual enhancements include the ability to customize the language on a per-app basis, as well as improved blur and scroll effects in the interface.
Application optimization
With Android 13, Google will expand the ability to update system tools through Google Play (Project Mainline) to make apps and OS features more consistent and secure across many older devices. This will allow you to maintain the system even without major updates from smartphone manufacturers.
Google also promises to optimize the system and applications for tablets, foldable devices and Chromebooks. The plans include the transition to fully adaptive programs suitable for any screen.
Other improvements
The first developers have already begun to get acquainted with the system and share their findings. Picked up a few interesting changes that Google kept silent about:
- Launcher on Pixel began to support two desktop layouts – for different screens of foldable gadgets. This may be a hint at the imminent release of the corresponding novelty by Google.
- The taskbar for large screen devices now holds up to six icons and can offer pinning apps.
- Guest profiles can access installed applications from the main profile.
- Silent mode now disables keyboard vibration and other tactile feedback by default.
- Added the ability to disable the “Assistant” call by holding the “Home” button during three-button navigation.
- The “Now Playing” tile in the YouTube Music curtain has received new buttons.
- Added three new quick settings tiles: color correction, one-handed mode and QR code.
- On some Pixel smartphones, the ability to turn on the flashlight (flash) by double tapping on the back cover (Quick Tap) has been added.
Android 13 DP is currently available for testing on Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 5a (5G), Pixel 5, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 4a, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4. System images are available on the Android developer site.
Android 13 Developer Preview Release Date
The next Google Android 13 Developer Preview Beta 2 build will be released in May, followed by beta releases for everyone. Stable Android 13 is expected in the fall.