During the Google IO 2023 event today, the company made a bunch of
announcements about its apps and services. In terms of hardware announcements,
the company unveiled the Google Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Google Pixel Fold,
its first-ever foldable device. On the software side of things, Google
announced the second iteration of Android 14 Beta.
Android 14 was first announced back in February 2023 as a part of the
Developer Program and later on April 12, Google announced the first Beta based
on Android 14, which was a letting earlier than expected. Now, the company has
announced the second iteration of Android 14. In addition to the select Google
Pixel devices, now the Android 14 Beta is open to many other phones including
OnePlus, Samsung, Nothing, and more. Let us take a look at the details.
Android 14 Beta 2 Announced
The Android 14 Beta 2 is now available for all eligible Google Pixel devices.
In addition, Google has also opened up the beta program to non-Pixel devices
from brands like iQOO, Lenovo, Nothing, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Tecno, Vivo,
and Xiaomi.
The second beta brings a few under-the-hood changes. The Beta 2 adds support
for 10-bit high dynamic range (HDR) images, which will bring in more
information from the sensor and add more vibrant colours. You can also
capture 10-bit compressed still images on supported devices.
In terms of privacy, Android 14 will integrate Health Connect as a part of
the platform and receives updates via Google Play system updates without
requiring a separate download. Users can access Health Connect from the
Settings in their device, with privacy controls integrated into the system
settings. Android 14 users will also see a new section in the location
runtime permission pop-up that highlights when an app shares location data
with third parties, where they can get more information and control the
app’s data access.
Predictive Back is also now part of Android 14 and not hidden behind the
developer options. This gesture lets users preview the destination or other
result of a back gesture before they fully complete it, allowing them to
decide whether to continue or stay in the current view.
Apart from these, there are a bunch of announcements around Android 14 Beta
2, which are related to developers to help them get ready for the final
release.
Android 14 Beta: List of Eligible Devices
As for the list of eligible list goes, there are about nine Pixel devices
including the Pixel 7a and there are a handful of phones that are eligible for
the beta program as of today.
- Google Pixel 7 Pro
- Google Pixel 7
- Google Pixel 7a
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Google Pixel 7
- Google Pixel 6a
- Google Pixel 5a 5G
- Google Pixel 5
- Google Pixel 4a 5G
- Vivo X90 Pro
- iQOO 11
- Nothing Phone (1)
- Tecno Camon 20 series
Apart from the list of phones mentioned above, Google has also announced
that phones from OnePlus, Realme, Xiaomi, and OPPO are also eligible for
Android 14 beta. However, the exact device names are yet to be revealed.
Samsung is expected to announce the list of eligible devices for the Android
14 beta later
