Android 13
The next Android 13 preview is now available and we’re diving into today’s Beta 2 release to find what new features have been added.
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Depending on what app you’re in, the back gesture on Android can do any number of expected or unexpected things. With Android 13, Google is working to make the back gesture’s destination more predictable so you don’t accidentally close your app.
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With the wider consumer preview starting earlier than usual this year, Android 13 Beta 2 is now here at I/O 2022 just over two weeks after the last update for Pixel phones.
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Google I/O usually marks the time when the latest version of Android graduates from its early previews and starts the journey through betas towards public availability. Ahead of today’s keynote, one of Google’s partners is jumping on board, with Oppo launching its first Android 13 preview for the Find X5 Pro.
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The latest Digital Wellbeing feature coming soon to Android 13 devices is the ability for Bedtime Mode to dim your wallpaper.
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Earlier this week, Google started beta testing Android 13 for Android TV. Similar to previous years, a system image is available for the ADT-3 Developer Kit.
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With the first beta now behind us, Android 13’s formal debut is only a few short months away. This week, one of Google’s coming security changes has been uncovered, as Android 13 is set to strip accessibility features from sideloaded applications.
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Google started asking Android Beta Program users for feedback with version 11 in 2020. With Android 13 moving on from the developer preview phase last week, the Beta 1 feedback survey is now open this evening.
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For the first time (in the modern era), there are two active Android Beta Programs, as well as the stable channel. Google explained today why there’s occasionally no Android 12 QPR3 or Android 13 Beta OTA immediately after signing-up your Pixel.
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As work on the Chrome version continues, Google announced the Privacy Sandbox for Android in February to make mobile advertising more privacy-conscious. A Privacy Sandbox Developer Preview is now available today “on top of” Android 13.
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After a series of developer-facing early previews, the public-facing Android 13 Beta 1 update is now available to a small pool of eligible Google Pixel handsets.
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With the arrival of Android 13 Beta 1, Pixel phones can now quickly edit the contents of the clipboard, with an overlay similar to taking a screenshot.
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Android has long supported the ability to access certain tools or data from the lockscreen with relative ease, but many have come with the minor annoyance of requiring you to authenticate before actually using those tools. In Android 13, Google is stripping away the need to unlock your phone for lockscreen smart home controls. Here’s how.
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Google has decided to rename Android’s classic “Do Not Disturb” setting to “Priority mode” in the second preview of Android 13.
Update: Google now seems to be walking back this change.
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All of the changes we’ve seen in Android 13 developer previews have formed into our first look at Android 13 Beta 1. Some of those changes seem to be interesting features, if not reversions to former iterations of the OS. For instance, the Pixel Launcher app drawer in Android 13 Beta 1 has changed to the familiar Google widget search bar rather than the on-device version.
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As part of the first Android 13 Beta, Pixel phones now have 12 new options for “basic color” themes that aren’t based on your current wallpaper, along with a handful of alternate Material You color theme styles.
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Google radically redesigned Android’s visual language with Android 12, and it seems the company is set to refine that look in Android 13. As a part of the first beta to Android 13, Google has updated the media player notification with a new squiggle look for the track scrubber.
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Beta 1 of Android 13 is available today and will be most people’s introduction to Google’s next major OS version. We’re diving into today’s release of Android 13 Beta 1 to find what new features have been added.
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Today marks the first time that Google is running two Android Beta Programs simultaneously. Those running Android 12 QPR3 Beta 2 on their Pixel do not have to wipe their device to get Android 13 Beta 1.
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Google usually launches the first beta of the next major version of Android at I/O in May. The cycle this year has been accelerated and Android 13 Beta 1 is rolling out earlier than normal for Pixel phones today. The install process is now just a simple opt-in, but there’s one thing existing QPR3 Beta users should watch out for to avoid wiping their device.
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Samsung has done a great job speeding up the release of new Android versions of its flagship phones, and it seems things are scheduled to kick off even faster with the launch of Android 13.
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Android 13 is just around the corner with the public-facing beta set to arrive in the coming weeks. We’ve already had the opportunity to test drive the Developer Preview, but that hasn’t stopped us from dreaming up an Android 13 wish list of things we’d love to see later this year.
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Android 13’s second developer preview adds a handful of new Material You styles, but they’re not very easy to access at this point. Barely a week later, though, the fun app Repainter has added support for Android 13’s new Material You styles.
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Android 13 Developer Preview 2 includes work toward an editor for your clipboard, a redesign for the Pixel Launcher search bar, and more.
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