Even although the secure 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 fairly Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1. QPR1 will probably be Android 14’s first quarterly platform launch, an interim update that brings some new options and lots of bug fixes (however not any new APIs for builders).
Android 14 QPR1 will possible be launched for Pixel telephones in December as a part of that month’s Pixel Feature Drop, Google’s quarterly launch of new Pixel-exclusive options. However, Android 14 QPR1 can even be included 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 primarily based on Android 14 QPR1, although, as they’ll as a substitute select to attend for Android 15, which can incorporate all modifications from QPR1, QPR2, and QPR3.
That means if you wish to expertise what the upcoming update at present has to supply, you could have a Pixel cellphone enrolled in the Android 14 QPR1 beta. If you’re interested in what’s new however don’t wish to take care of any of the beta’s bugs, I’ve bought 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 will probably be extra betas, which may add, take away, or change a few of these options.
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Every new feature you possibly can attempt
While not most new options should not explicitly highlighted by Google in its launch notes, there are a variety of user-facing options which can be obtainable so that you can attempt with the QPR1 beta put in in your Pixel cellphone. Here’s what I discovered:
Overriding an app’s facet ratio
This is the one new feature in Android 14 QPR1 that Google formally documented, and it’s aimed toward large-screen units just like the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. Through a new settings menu, you possibly can override an app’s facet ratio to lastly drive apps like Instagram and Reddit into full display. This feature 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 possibly can choose from.
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Using your cellphone as a webcam
Most 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 to your PC? While there are many apps that allow you to do that, they usually 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 new “webcam” choice to USB preferences that turns your cellphone right into a wired webcam.
The approach this feature works underneath the hood is a bit sophisticated, however the advantages are that it really works seamlessly with virtually any platform (Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and even Android itself), and it doesn’t require any extra software program. Oh, and this feature 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 being
Android 14 QPR1 allows you to see some stats about your cellphone’s battery, specifically its cycle depend (what number of cost and discharge cycles it’s gone by) and manufacture date. These stats might be accessed by going to Settings > About cellphone > Battery info.
While any Android system can technically present these stats, many aren’t set as much as show this information, so your mileage might differ about what info you’ll see right here.
Switching to the new “Metro” lock display clock
One of the important thing personalization options Google developed in Android 14 for Pixel telephones is lock display clock customization. Pixel customers can open the Wallpaper & Styles app to choose from a group of various clock types, which now features a new “Metro” fashion in Android 14 QPR1.
Keeping apps open while you shut the Pixel Fold
One of the options I wished Google to repeat from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 is “continue apps on cover screen,” which lets you choose apps that you just wish to proceed utilizing on the outer display while you fold the cellphone. Android 14 QPR1 kind of has this, besides you’re not deciding on apps from a menu.
Showing solely new notifications on the lock display
On the Pixel Tablet, there’s a new “show only new notifications on lock screen” toggle underneath Settings > Notifications. This setting, which is enabled by default, “automatically remove[s] previously viewed notifications from the lock screen.”
Setting a distinct reside wallpaper on the lock display and residential display
Believe it or not, Android has by no means earlier than allow you to set a distinct reside wallpaper on the lock display and residential display, regardless that reside wallpaper help was launched again in 2009. Thanks to modifications in Android 14, although, the lock display can now set its personal reside wallpaper independently of the house display.
Although this modification solely went reside for Pixels in the Android 14 QPR1 beta, it’s really a part of the core Android 14 OS, so any OEM can allow it. However, Google solely enabled this modification by default in QPR1, so some OEM flavors of Android 14 might not have this.
Changing a Bluetooth audio system’s kind
When 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 typically not be acknowledged and seem mislabeled in settings. That’s why Android 14 QPR1 now allows you to select the “audio device type” of a linked Bluetooth system. You can choose between a speaker, headphones, automobile package, listening to support, or different. Certain options like spatial audio and listening to support preferences are solely obtainable when the system kind is about to “headphones” and “hearing aid,” respectively, for instance.
Choosing a most popular frequency to your hotspot
The “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 presses
Android is including a new developer possibility 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 that claims “VOLUME_UP.”
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Every hidden feature
While there are many user-facing options in QPR1 Beta 1, there are some modifications 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 off
If you wish to discover your misplaced Android cellphone, your finest guess is to fireplace 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 at present find units which can be on-line, not less than till the Find My Device community rolls out. Even then, although, it received’t be capable of find units which can be powered off.
That may change for choose Pixel telephones in Android 14 QPR1, although, as code throughout the OS suggests you’ll be capable of find them even after they’re powered off.
Searching your cellphone utilizing the floating search bar
Android 12 launched a strong on-device search engine that permits you to search by 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 in the app drawer as a substitute of on the high of the display. It additionally follows you to the latest display, not like earlier than. A video of the new floating search bar might be discovered on Android Authority so you possibly can see how this feature works in motion.
Factory resetting your cellphone earlier than you ship it in for restore received’t be crucial
Code inside Android 14 QPR1 suggests you’ll be capable of enter a “repair mode” on Pixel telephones. This restore mode will present a “secure environment for device repair,” which sounds lots like Maintenance Mode on Samsung telephones. However, it’ll possible work in a different way than Samsung’s model of the feature.
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 feature. Its religious successor is Google Assistant’s “search screen” button, which is powered by Google Lens. To entry that button, although, it’s important to first name up the Assistant. Android 14 QPR1 is making ready a new long-press display search gesture that’ll skip that step. Sadly, that gesture at present doesn’t work.
Saving an app pair
Google 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 feature is getting nearer to launch. While app pairs can now be saved to the house display 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 feature. In Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1, now you can really save and launch an app pair. However, it doesn’t have an icon and might’t be renamed. pic.twitter.com/3AgTJHFcHySeptember 20, 2023
Turning your cellphone over to panorama whereas on the lock display
Android’s lock display has been locked (no pun meant) to portrait mode because the starting, aside from on tablets and different large-screen units. In Android 14 QPR1, although, Google is attempting to optimize the lock display in order that it may be used in panorama mode on telephones.
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Editing the house display
The Pixel Launcher is making ready a new “edit home screen” possibility that can allow you to add or take away a number of objects from a house display web page with out having to continuously reselect objects.
Updating the firmware of the Pixel Tablet’s (unreleased) stylus and keyboard
The Pixel Tablet launched with none first-party keyboard or stylus equipment, regardless that 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 will probably 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 update 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 bar
Google’s making ready a revamp of Android’s chat bubbles feature, not less than on large-screen units. A new bubble bar will seem on the backside proper that homes your chat bubbles. We don’t know what the bubble bar will seem like, although.
Turning on an prompt hotspot
Little is understood about this hidden setting proper now, however there’s an “instant hotspot” feature in the works. My guess is it’ll improve the hotspot feature of Chromebook’s Phone Hub one way or the other.
Pixel updates web page
The “system update” web page is likely to be getting a revamp that exhibits whether or not your OS, Project Mainline modules, and Pixel system apps are up-to-date. Currently, this web page solely exhibits your OS model.
Using your present lock display wallpaper as your display saver
Android 14 QPR1 prepares to sync your lock display and display saver. A new setting will allow you to “use your current lock screen wallpaper” as your “dream” (code-name for display saver).
That’s the whole lot I discovered thus far in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1. I do know it’s lots to take in, however QPR1 is often the place the foremost 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 will probably be lighter on options, as Google will probably be knee-deep into Android 15’s improvement by then.