Android retains getting higher and higher with each launch, so it’s with keen anticipation that we await every replace.
Whether or not it’s a visible overhaul, a plethora of recent options, or safety updates behind the scenes, the following new model of Android is all the time an enormous occasion within the tech calendar.
Right here’s all we all know up to now in regards to the era that’s due subsequent – Android 14. Google showcased plenty of new options at its Google I/O occasion on 10 Could, which we’ve dived into under.
When will Android 14 be launched?
Though Google confirmed off new Android options at Google I/O, it didn’t really say when Android 14 will likely be launched.
Early every year, Google teases the following model on Android with what it calls developer previews. These are early builds of the upcoming Android replace the corporate permits builders (but in addition anybody) to obtain onto suitable units to check out the brand new options, which helps Google to identify bugs.
Following the most recent Android Developer Preview being launched for current Pixel units, the primary public beta launch of Android 14 is now obtainable. You’ll be able to enrol your suitable Pixel cellphone on the official beta web site now.
We count on the pubic beta to undergo a number of launch updates within the coming weeks, introducing tweaks and new options that permits Google to check the steadiness of the platform earlier than the total launch.
Oppo and OnePlus introduced on 10 Could, shortly after Google I/O, that its OnePlus 11 and Oppo Discover N2 Flip telephones can now obtain the Android 14 Beta 1 replace.
In spite of everything these public betas, Google generally rolls outs the brand new model of Android with the discharge of its new era of Pixel telephones, however generally it does it for present units beforehand.
Whereas there’s no official launch date but for Android 14, we count on it to seem in Q3 2023 alongside the Pixel 8 sequence. Google has been slightly erratic over the previous few years with its releases, however they often fall after the summer time. Right here’s when the final full variations made their debuts:
- Android 13 – August 2022
- Android 12 – October 2021
- Android 11 – September 2020
- Android 10 – September 2019
What’s going to Android 14 be referred to as?
Google has a somewhat whimsical method in relation to the names it provides every model of Android. These had been historically based mostly on deserts, however this pattern stopped when Android 10 got here out in September 2019 and the corporate went with the quantity as an alternative. This hasn’t stopped the inner codenames making their manner into the general public although, replete with its confectionary connotations. As an example, right here’s how the numbered Android variations have been affectionately referred to as in-house at Google:
- Android 10 – Quince Tart
- Android 11 – Purple Velvet Cake
- Android 12 – Snow Cone
- Android 13 – Tiramisu
As you’ll be able to in all probability inform, every model begins with the following letter within the alphabet, that means Android 14’s desert of selection will start with U. Whereas this appears a somewhat troublesome letter to make a pudding reference, 9to5Google has reported that Google engineers have dubbed it Upside Down Cake. Little bit of a stretch, which might be why the corporate now sticks with model numbers as an alternative. With Android 14, Google is over midway by way of the alphabet anyway.
What new options will we see in Android 14?
Google confirmed off a number of new options for Android at Google I/O, though we nonetheless don’t know when Android 14 will come out. We’re assuming most of the new modifications are for Android 14 nevertheless it’s price noting it’s not clear if they are going to be, or will come to older variations of Android too.
AI
Google loves AI. From its Bard chatbot helper proper by way of to enjoyable present instruments on Android telephones like Magic Eraser in Google Pictures, synthetic intelligence by way of software program is built-in closely into the businesses merchandise. Android 14 is not any completely different.
There’s going to be a visible replace in Android 14 (for Pixel telephones first), with a few new options coming in June. This might point out Android 14 is launching then.
Google has taken a number of notes of Apple’s iOS 16 tweaks to its lock display wallpapers by, properly, copying it. You’ll be capable of change the clock model on Android’s lock display on Pixel telephones and entry some widgets. There’s additionally a brand new emoji wallpaper picker that’s similar to what Apple affords.
There may also be extra AI smarts in Android 14 with cinematic wallpapers the place you’ll be able to choose a photograph out of your gallery and it’ll give it a 3D impact in the event you set it as your wallpaper. That is additionally dropping in June.
Extra spectacular is new generative AI wallpapers. Once more, on Pixel first, you’ll be capable of sort a immediate for AI to generate a novel picture, for instance, ‘London in a pop artwork model’, which can create a number of pictures to scroll by way of and choose. Google is pushing the function as a manner to make sure your pghone seems completely distinctive.
Google says this gained’t come till autumn, so it is going to possible be pushed as an replace after Android 14 has already been pushed to some units.
These had been the one new options introduced at Google I/O. The under was already identified from betas and leaks.
New share sheet
The share sheet is the pop up that seems once you faucet share inside any app. We fairly like the way it seems on iPhones, with frequent contacts and apps listed first in a reasonably uniform nature, whichever app you’re in. The Android share sheet has all the time been slightly extra chaotic, and Google is addressing this within the Android 14 beta.
The sheet will now give builders the flexibility to code in additional personalised options, corresponding to emailing a hyperlink to an everyday contact, or sending your Wordle rating to that Wordle WhatsApp group you’re in. It should hopefully change into higher at guessing your intent.
You’ll additionally be capable of scroll a preview of a number of pictures in the event you’ve chosen many, to be sure you’re not sending the flawed factor to the flawed individual. Google may also reportedly now be capable of replace the share sheet’s behaviour extra ceaselessly because the system now treats it as a standalone app. It’s a small tweak, however one chances are you’ll use pretty usually.
Satellite tv for pc calls
In a tweet again in September 2022, Google’s Senior Vice-President for Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, said that his group had been ‘designing for satellites’.
Presumably this implies having the ability to make emergency calls by way of satellite tv for pc protection, as we’ve seen within the iPhone 14 vary. Whether or not this may work with present telephones or solely with new ones stays to be seen, though we suspect the latter.
Predictive Again Navigation
In the event you’ve ever been pissed off by tapping the again button or utilizing the swipe gesture to navigate to a earlier web page however discover you’ve give up the app as an alternative, then Android 14 might repair this drawback.
With apps all making use of the again gesture in another way, there’s not all the time a joined up behaviour that the person can belief. With the brand new predictive again navigation, you’ll now see a sneak peak of the house display seem earlier than you end your command, so that you’ll know whether or not you need to do this or not. Sounds a bit sophisticated, however in operation it ought to be easy and prevent from inadvertently leaving an app. The function was really constructed for Android 13, however plainly time ran out earlier than that model launched, so it ought to now make its correct debut in Android 14.
Close by share may very well be restricted to Google-licensed telephones
This one gained’t have an effect on too many individuals, however Google has confirmed that the predecessor to Close by Share – Android Beam – is being faraway from AOSP (Android Open Supply Venture). That is solely important as a result of Close by Share depends on Google Cell Providers, which implies producers that aren’t signed as much as Google’s licensing agreements (corresponding to Huawei), might now not be capable of wirelessly share knowledge by way of NFC between units. Most individuals gained’t expertise this, however it’s price stating.
Will your cellphone get Android 14?
Most Android telephones launched within the final 12 months or so ought to make the transition to Android 14, though how shortly this occurs depends on the producers as they implement the upgrades. The one manner to make certain is to verify on the producers web site to see in case your handset is listed.
Do you have to discover that’s not the case, then you’ll be able to all the time peruse our roundups of the finest finances telephones, finest mid-range telephones and finest Android smartphones to see in the event you fancy upgrading to at least one that can.
