Android 12 Developer Preview

We first reported over a year ago that Google was working on a new gesture for Pixel phones that allowed a quick double-tap on the back of the phone to perform a customizable action. Now, finally in the second beta release of Android 12, Google has released the “Quick Tap” feature previously known as “Columbus,” but it’s only available on the Pixel 5.

After a shorter than expected break between the first Android 12 Beta and now Beta 2, we hope that you’re ready for more new features and changes in what promises to be the biggest UI overhaul in years.

With Android 12 Beta 2, the Google Assistant has learned how to open the power menu on your phone, in return for taking over the power button.

Android 12 puts a lot of emphasis on animations and colors, and with its second beta release, we can see both of those are in use, as Google has introduced new animations when charging on Pixel phones.

As the company faces increased scrutiny over privacy in the wake of what Apple is doing over on iOS, Android 12 puts quite a bit of effort into improving privacy tools and practices. With the arrival of Android 12 Beta 2, the added privacy tools have officially arrived.

Google is making it even easier to make NFC or contactless payments with Android 12 Beta 1 by adding a neat Wallet toggle to your lock screen.

One of the many aspects of Android being revamped with Android 12 is the Quick Settings area. With Android 12 Beta 2, the Quick Settings area gains quick access to Google Pay, Google Home shortcuts, as well as a power button.

Android 12 goes big on UI elements quite literally, with oversized elements for quick settings and more. In Beta 2, though, Android 12 is downsizing the volume slider so it’s not as comically massive.

The first Beta at I/O 2021 last month rolled out the first aspects of the Material You redesign and Google is continuing to overhaul the next major version of its OS with the latest release. Over the coming hours, we will dive into Android 12 Beta 2 to chronicle all the new features and changes.

After introducing a totally new idea for the power menu in Android 11, Google is backtracking and replacing the design with something more similar to what the likes of Samsung and others have been using for years in Android 12.

Google’s design for Android 12 is the biggest refresh in years, but the “Material You” aspects that change colors based on your wallpaper weren’t live in the first release. Now, they’re live in Beta 2.

Following Android 12 entering wider availability last month, Beta 2 is rolling out today to Pixel phones. This is the first of two incremental Beta-quality releases as the next release of Android nears its public launch.

With the first beta at I/O, many of the consumer-facing changes in the next major version of Google’s mobile OS were revealed. One of the most controversial visual updates in Android 12 is the ripple effect when tapping. The company has heard the feedback and committed to improving it over the coming releases. 

So we have covered the main bases of the Android 12 Beta 1 build, including letting you know what we think are some of the “best” or “top” features. However, there are remnants of what might be coming in future beta builds, and so we have been delving in further to unearth yet more new features.

At I/O 2021, Google publicly shared what the final version of Android 12 will look like and its capabilities. Those features will be introduced in the coming months to testers, and Beta 2 — specifically — will include Android 12’s Privacy dashboard and more controls over the camera and microphone.

Google considers Android 12 its “most ambitious privacy release to date” with more user control over the microphone and camera, as well as a settings dashboard. Another feature is a new Nearby device permission in Android 12 for companion apps when setting up watches and headphones.