Google Releases First Beta Version For Android 14 | Digit

On Wednesday, Google released the first beta version of Android 14 for Pixel users after a round of developers’ reviews. Other brands will have to wait for OEM-specific releases which are expected in a few months. The first beta version helps us understand the upcoming changes in the operating system in terms of accessibility and privacy. Let’s check out what new features users can expect from Upside Down Cake (Android 14’s internal code). 

Android 14 Supported Devices 

Prior to exploring the new features let’s identify the devices that support this beta. Currently, Pixel is the only brand that has the first OS beta change option. The devices under Pixel that are eligible are the Pixel 4a 5G and all the devices launched post that, which are Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6/Pro, Pixel 6a, and Pixel 7/Pro. However, the sad news for users of Google Pixel 4a (non-5G) as it will not get Android 14.

Other anticipated brands and their devices are as follows;

-ASUS

-ASUS Zenfone 9

-ASUS ROG Phone 6 (all variants)

-All unreleased phones in 2023 

-Rumoured Zenfone 10 and ROG Phone 7 

Nothing 

Nothing currently has only one launched model, Nothing Phone 1 and it promises an estimated three new Android upgrades leaving us with the answer that it will get Android 14 and so will the much-anticipated Nothing Phone 2.

OnePlus 

-OnePlus 11 and 11R

-OnePlus 10 Pro, 10T, and 10R 

-OnePlus 9 Pro, 9R and 9 

-OnePlus OnePlus 8T 

-OnePlus Nord 2T and CE 2 Lite

Samsung 

-Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and 3, Z Flip 4 and 3

-Samsung Galaxy S23, S22, and S21 series

-Samsung Galaxy A73, A72, A53, A52, A33, and A32

Sony 

-Sony Xperia 5 lV, 1 lV and 10 lV

Almost all brands, except Sony, promise three Android upgrades for their flagship and in some cases budget-tier models. Sony promises two upgrades even for its mega flagship range.

What’s New?

The accessibility features from Google advance every year and this version is predicted to have accessibility advancement for sensitive data between apps. Wherein, the apps will be certified and be provided with a trusted stamp for the apps to interchange data. If the app is not certified by Google, it cannot procure data from other apps but can provide data. Through this method, sensitive data will be protected.

The new version comes with a big change in terms of privacy where apps that are made for Android 5 and before can no longer be installed. The company says that malware normally targets old apps.

Along with a gesture animation for the “back option”, Android 14 will provide the option to increase your font by 200% and will also enable camera and display flash for your notifications where you choose either or both the notification detectors and also to change the colour of the flash.

The new version also plans on improving the efficiency of background tasks and large file downloads through the introduction of two Android APIs, foreground services and a job scheduler.

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