Even although the steady launch of Android 14 has but to drop, Google went forward and launched the primary beta of Android’s subsequent launch earlier this week. No, not Android 15, however somewhat Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1. QPR1 might be Android 14’s first quarterly platform launch, an interim replace that brings some new options and plenty of bug fixes (however not any new APIs for builders). Android 14 QPR1 will probably be launched for Pixel telephones in December as a part of that month’s Pixel Feature Drop, Google’s quarterly launch of recent Pixel-exclusive options. However, Android 14 QPR1 can even be integrated into Android’s supply code, so any OEM can choose the options they discover interesting. Few, if any, system producers will roll out software program updates based mostly on Android 14 QPR1, although, as they’ll as a substitute select to attend for Android 15, which is able to incorporate all adjustments from QPR1, QPR2, and QPR3.That means if you wish to expertise what the upcoming replace presently has to supply, that you must have a Pixel cellphone enrolled within the Android 14 QPR1 beta. If you’re inquisitive about what’s new however don’t need to take care of any of the beta’s bugs, I’ve acquired a rundown of what to anticipate.Note: this breakdown of options in Android 14 QPR1 is predicated on findings throughout the Beta 1 construct. There might be further betas, which may add, take away, or change a few of these options.Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Every new function you’ll be able to strive(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)While not most new options are usually not explicitly highlighted by Google in its launch notes, there are a selection of user-facing options which are obtainable so that you can strive with the QPR1 beta put in in your Pixel cellphone. Here’s what I discovered:Overriding an app’s facet ratioThis is the one new function in Android 14 QPR1 that Google formally documented, and it’s geared toward large-screen units just like the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Through a brand new settings menu, you’ll be able to override an app’s facet ratio to lastly power apps like Instagram and Reddit into full display screen. This function isn’t unique to Pixel units. My article for Android Authority has a bunch of screenshots displaying the facet ratio settings and completely different modes you’ll be able to choose from.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Android Central)(Image credit score: Android Central)Using your cellphone as a webcamMost smartphones provide vastly superior video high quality than your laptop computer’s built-in webcam, so why not use your Android cellphone as a webcam in your PC? While there are many apps that allow you to do that, they sometimes require putting in some software program in your cellphone and your PC. Android 14 QPR1 on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 collection provides a brand new “webcam” choice to USB preferences that turns your cellphone right into a wired webcam.(Image credit score: Android Central)The manner this function works below the hood is a bit sophisticated, however the advantages are that it really works seamlessly with nearly any platform (Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and even Android itself), and it doesn’t require any further software program. Oh, and this function additionally isn’t unique to Pixel telephones: It’ll be a part of Android 14’s supply code, however it’ll be as much as OEMs to allow it.Viewing your cellphone’s battery well beingAndroid 14 QPR1 helps you to see some stats about your cellphone’s battery, specifically its cycle rely (what number of cost and discharge cycles it’s gone by way of) and manufacture date. These stats might be accessed by going to Settings > About cellphone > Battery info.(Image credit score: Android Central)While any Android system can technically present these stats, many aren’t set as much as show this data, so your mileage might range about what info you’ll see right here.Switching to the brand new “Metro” lock display screen clockOne of the important thing personalization options Google developed in Android 14 for Pixel telephones is lock display screen clock customization. Pixel customers can open the Wallpaper & Styles app to select from a set of various clock kinds, which now features a new “Metro” type in Android 14 QPR1.(Image credit score: Android Central)Keeping apps open while you shut the Pixel FoldOne of many options I needed Google to repeat from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 is “continue apps on cover screen,” which lets you choose apps that you simply need to proceed utilizing on the outer display screen while you fold the cellphone. Android 14 QPR1 type of has this, besides you’re not choosing apps from a menu.Showing solely new notifications on the lock screenOn the Pixel Tablet, there’s a brand new “show only new notifications on lock screen” toggle below Settings > Notifications. This setting, which is enabled by default, “automatically remove[s] previously viewed notifications from the lock screen.”Setting a unique reside wallpaper on the lock display screen and residential screenBelieve it or not, Android has by no means earlier than allow you to set a unique reside wallpaper on the lock display screen and residential display screen, although reside wallpaper help was launched again in 2009. Thanks to adjustments in Android 14, although, the lock display screen can now set its personal reside wallpaper independently of the house display screen. Although this alteration solely went reside for Pixels within the Android 14 QPR1 beta, it’s truly a part of the core Android 14 OS, so any OEM can allow it. However, Google solely enabled this alteration by default in QPR1, so some OEM flavors of Android 14 might not have this.Changing a Bluetooth audio system’s typeWhen Android connects to a Bluetooth system, it communicates with the system to determine what sort of system it’s and what it helps. More obscure units might generally not be acknowledged and seem mislabeled in settings. That’s why Android 14 QPR1 now helps you to select the “audio device type” of a related Bluetooth system. You can choose between a speaker, headphones, automotive equipment, listening to support, or different. Certain options like spatial audio and listening to support preferences are solely obtainable when the system kind is ready to “headphones” and “hearing aid,” respectively, for instance. (Image credit score: Future)Choosing a most well-liked frequency in your hotspotThe “extend compatibility” toggle in Android’s Wi-Fi hotspot settings has been changed with a “speed & compatibility” web page, which helps you to choose between 2.4 and 5GHz or 6GHz frequencies for a hotspot.Showing bodily key pressesAndroid is including a brand new developer choice that “show[s] visual feedback for physical key presses.” If you, for instance, press the amount up key, a dialog seems on the backside of the display screen that claims “VOLUME_UP.” Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Every hidden function(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)While there are many user-facing options in QPR1 Beta 1, there are some adjustments that aren’t as apparent, or that lay the groundwork for future builds. Here are those that I’ve discovered:Locating your Pixel cellphone even when it’s offIf you need to discover your misplaced Android cellphone, your greatest guess is to fireside up Find My Device on one other Android system or PC since Google’s service is baked into each Android cellphone. However, Find My Device can solely presently find units which are on-line, no less than till the Find My Device community rolls out. Even then, although, it gained’t have the ability to find units which are powered off.That may change for choose Pixel telephones in Android 14 QPR1, although, as code throughout the OS suggests you’ll have the ability to find them even after they’re powered off. Searching your cellphone utilizing the floating search barAndroid 12 launched a strong on-device search engine that allows you to search by way of your apps, contacts, settings, and extra. Android 14 QPR1 is making ready a revamp to the best way you entry that search engine. The new floating search bar sits atop your keyboard within the app drawer as a substitute of on the prime of the display screen. It additionally follows you to the current display screen, in contrast to earlier than. A video of the brand new floating search bar might be discovered on Android Authority so you’ll be able to see how this function works in motion.Factory resetting your cellphone earlier than you ship it in for restore gained’t be necessaryCode inside Android 14 QPR1 suggests you’ll have the ability to enter a “repair mode” on Pixel telephones. This restore mode will present a “secure environment for device repair,” which sounds so much like Maintenance Mode on Samsung telephones. However, it’ll probably work otherwise than Samsung’s model of the function. (Image credit score: Android Central)Bringing again Google Now on Tap…kinda?Google Now on Tap might have been short-lived, however it was (and nonetheless is) a really beloved function. Its religious successor is Google Assistant’s “search screen” button, which is powered by Google Lens. To entry that button, although, it’s a must to first name up the Assistant. Android 14 QPR1 is making ready a brand new long-press display screen search gesture that’ll skip that step. Sadly, that gesture presently doesn’t work. Saving an app pairGoogle has been engaged on letting you save an app pair — a pair of apps that launch side-by-side in split-screen mode — since Android 14 Beta 2. Now, in QPR1, the function is getting nearer to launch. While app pairs can now be saved to the house display screen and launched, they don’t have an icon and might’t be renamed. As I beforehand reported, Android is getting help for saving an app pair, and extra progress has been made on this function. In Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1, now you can truly save and launch an app pair. However, it doesn’t have an icon and might’t be renamed. pic.twitter.com/3AgTJHFcHySeptember 20, 2023See extraTurning your cellphone over to panorama whereas on the lock display screenAndroid’s lock display screen has been locked (no pun meant) to portrait mode for the reason that starting, apart from on tablets and different large-screen units. In Android 14 QPR1, although, Google is attempting to optimize the lock display screen in order that it may be utilized in panorama mode on telephones.Image 1 of two(Image credit score: Android Central)(Image credit score: Android Central)Editing the house display screenThe Pixel Launcher is making ready a brand new “edit home screen” choice that can allow you to add or take away a number of gadgets from a house display screen web page with out having to always reselect gadgets.Updating the firmware of the Pixel Tablet’s (unreleased) stylus and keyboardThe Pixel Tablet launched with none first-party keyboard or stylus equipment, although it helps USI 2.0. Earlier this yr, a retail demo app leaked the existence of Google’s keyboard and stylus equipment for the Pixel Tablet. Now, new code inside Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 means that each equipment might be “smart,” i.e., they’ll be able to receiving firmware updates. Android’s Settings app will seemingly inform customers when both accent has a firmware replace obtainable.Speaking of which, Android 14 QPR1 additionally features a new “motion prediction” machine studying mannequin that’s designed to scale back the perceived latency of drawing/handwriting with a stylus. Putting bubbles right into a bubble barGoogle’s making ready a revamp of Android’s chat bubbles function, no less than on large-screen units. A brand new bubble bar will seem on the backside proper that homes your chat bubbles. We don’t know what the bubble bar will appear like, although.Turning on an instantaneous hotspotLittle is understood about this hidden setting proper now, however there’s an “instant hotspot” function within the works. My guess is it’ll improve the hotspot function of Chromebook’s Phone Hub in some way. (Image credit score: Android Central)Pixel updates web pageThe “system update” web page is perhaps getting a revamp that reveals whether or not your OS, Project Mainline modules, and Pixel system apps are up-to-date. Currently, this web page solely reveals your OS model.Using your present lock display screen wallpaper as your display screen saverAndroid 14 QPR1 prepares to sync your lock display screen and display screen saver. A brand new setting will allow you to “use your current lock screen wallpaper” as your “dream” (code-name for display screen saver).That’s all the things I discovered thus far in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1. I do know it’s so much to soak up, however QPR1 is often the place the key new options are added because it’s the place Google tries to align issues with their new Pixel launch. In distinction, QPR2 and particularly QPR3 might be lighter on options, as Google might be knee-deep into Android 15’s growth by then.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
© Copyright - TechSwitchCF