Android 12 was an enormous step in a brand new course for Google’s cell OS. Not solely did Google overhaul Android’s look with its twelfth annual replace, nevertheless it additionally redesigned lots of its core features. Since this important replace, Google has been on a spree to shine up the tough edges and embody the options it missed. So it’s no shock that, like Android 13, the newest Android 14 replace is an incremental bundle with a number of under-the-hood fixes and a few much-needed additions.
Android 14, now accessible in beta for a handful of Pixel telephones, doesn’t home many new options most individuals would care about, and when you had been anticipating at the least a number of main user-facing adjustments after a tepid Android 13 launch, you’re in for a disappointment. Above all else, Android 14 seems to speed up the groundwork Google’s been laying for a while, together with enhancements to the password-less sign-in expertise, and software program for large-screen units like the corporate’s upcoming Pixel Pill.
But, ever since I loaded Android 14’s first beta on my Pixel 6, I’ve come to understand the handful of upgrades it brings to day-to-day actions such because the a lot cleaner again gesture, and the flexibility to dam apps from hijacking your display for notifications. Right here’s what it’s like to make use of it.
Again to the long run
It’s been almost half a decade since Android switched to navigational gestures from mounted, on-screen buttons, and Google continues to be not performed refining them. With Android 14, the again gesture now not appears like an unfinished prototype. It’s received a facelift that’s visually interesting and sensible. In contrast to the present, skinny arrow, it’s now bolder and has a Materials You background that adapts to the remainder of the display’s colours.
Extra importantly, on Android 14, we will lastly see the predictive again gesture in motion. You don’t should guess anymore whether or not swiping from the left or proper edges will open a brand new aspect menu or take you again to the earlier display. Once you achieve this, and maintain the gesture for a second, Android will present you a preview of what’s going to occur so that you could resolve whether or not to execute or abandon. There’s additionally a snazzy new animation for the transition, which makes the expertise much more user-friendly and fewer clunky. Nevertheless, in the intervening time, it solely works on a few apps like Google Information.
One other minor, but key change Android 14 provides is a constantly clear navigation bar. Earlier than, on apps that didn’t trouble to help it, you’d should cope with an unpleasant black strip beneath the nav bar taking on essential display house. On Android 14, you’ve the choice to pressure a clear nav bar throughout all apps from the developer choices, and it really works pretty effectively. I’ve not run into any crashes nor bugs up to now.
Sharing is caring
The Android 14 addition that arguably might find yourself with the largest impression, although, is the superior share sheet. As a result of Google didn’t enable builders to personalize the share sheet to match the app’s functions earlier than, we’ve witnessed how some have applied their very own, and that has led to an awfully irritating and sometimes gradual expertise.
Android 14 fixes that — it lets apps pin a number of shortcuts of their very own on the high of the share sheet. On high of that, the grid beneath is sorted primarily based on what you’d want probably the most at any second. On Google Chrome, for instance, you’ll discover choices like “Ship to your units” once you share a hyperlink. Though I couldn’t check this as apps haven’t been up to date for it.
A couple of different notable enhancements embody a built-in accessibility instrument to flash your cellphone’s display and digicam flashlight for incoming calls or notifications, a lava lamp-like background impact for the media participant widget within the notification shade, and an choice to forestall apps from sending full-screen notifications. Although that remaining addition is basically to regulate intrusive apps, I ended up utilizing it on the Clock app in order that I don’t have a direct choice to snooze my alarms, and the Cellphone app to forestall it from interrupting no matter I’m doing at a second. If I need to snooze the alarm or choose up an incoming name, I can all the time achieve this from the notification panel.
Although the present Android 14 model is low on UI tweaks, which may not be the case in later iterations. Google is anticipated to observe Apple’s lead, and shortly provide extra lockscreen customization. The beta construct homes a number of hidden options that may permit you to personalize the lockscreen clock’s measurement in addition to colours, and in the end, choose the 2 shortcuts on the underside corners.
Personal Android reporting for responsibility
Android 14 provides a number of, helpful privateness upgrades too. You possibly can disable the animations that pop whilst you’re coming into your lockscreen PIN, making it tougher for thieves to spy in your code in public locations earlier than stealing your machine. Plus, Google is mandating the usage of Android’s new picture picker, which helps you to share entry to chose images as a substitute of your complete gallery. It was first launched on Android 13 however saved optionally available, and therefore, not many builders adopted it.
Google’s additionally cracking down on apps that misuse the accessibility permission to trace you by limiting entry to delicate knowledge solely to the apps Google has vetted. Up to now, a number of main Android safety breaches occurred by way of the accessibility permission — meant to assist challenged customers — and it’s good to see Google lastly handle it.
The remainder of the Android 14 is extra in regards to the future than the now. A brand new login module, for instance, will enable devs to simply provide a passwordless sign-in choice subsequent to the standard strategies like “Check in with Google.” Within the run-up to the Pixel Pill’s launch, Google can be gearing as much as roll out extra Apple-like Continuity talents with this replace, particularly choosing up calls you get in your cellphone out of your pill and higher help for bodily keyboards reminiscent of touchpad gestures.
Backside line
For most individuals, like Android 13, Android 14 will come and go unnoticed, and for Google, that’s not a trigger for concern. Over the previous few years, Google has switched its technique to put much less emphasis on one-time grand, annual updates and extra on round-the-year common releases for the weather that matter most to customers. Every of Google’s homegrown apps is refreshed incessantly from the Play Retailer, its Pixel lineup will get a drop of thrilling options each couple of months, and safety patches are routinely utilized when wanted. Plus, it axed the dessert identify custom.
The explanation Apple’s yearly updates are nonetheless so important is that it additionally consists of its apps in them. Should you look over the iOS 14’s record of recent options, most of it’s simply app updates that Apple might have dispatched immediately from the App Retailer.
There’s not a lot to put in writing house about Android 14 and the success of its most glamorous additions, just like the up to date share sheet and the predictive again gesture, relies on how quickly builders undertake them – and most of the extra thrilling ones reminiscent of lockscreen customization haven’t arrived but. Till then, I might barely have the ability to inform my Pixel 6’s software program had gone up by 1.0. The nice factor is it additionally doesn’t contact what wasn’t damaged.
You possibly can join the Android 14 beta from right here on a suitable Pixel mannequin. Should you’re on the Android 13 beta, you possibly can even select to skip Android 14 altogether.
