Google rolls out Android 14 Developer Preview 2: Here what’s new

Gadgets Now Bureau / Gadgets Now / Updated: Mar 9, 2023, 01:00PM IST

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Google rolls out Android 14 Developer Preview 2: Here what’s new

Google has released the second Developer Preview of Android 14, following the release of Android 14 Developer Preview 1 last month. The latest developer build includes further improvements to confidentiality, protection, and speed and continues to perfect the user experience on both tablet devices and foldable screens. Here’s everything new and improved in the Android 14 Developer Preview 2.

Better support for tablets and foldables
With its support for tablets and foldable form factors, Android 14 aims to provide a new level of convenience. To assist developers in getting started with building large screens and foldables, Google has provided resources. Additionally, detailed checklists are available to evaluate the quality of your app for large screens, and libraries that support low latency stylus and motion prediction have been released.

Photo Picker gets the option of Selected photo
Android 14 users can choose which photos and videos to provide access to if their apps use visual media permissions. The permission options are as follows:

Allow access to all photos: this grants access to the entire library of all images and videos on the device.
Select photos: users can select specific images and videos, which will only be temporarily accessible via MediaStore.
Don't allow: this option denies access to all photos and videos.

Credential Manager
With Android 14, Google is introducing the Credential Manager, a platform API available on devices back to Android 4.4 (API level 19). This API simplifies and enhances sign-in security by allowing credentials to be retrieved and stored using user-configured credential providers.

Furthermore, the API supports the industry standard for passwordless sign-in, and passkeys, which are compatible with various operating systems and browsers.

Background activities
Android 14 gives foreground apps more authority over the activities initiated by other apps. For apps targeting Android 14, privileges must be granted while sending a PendingIntent or binding a Service to ensure a smooth user experience free of interruptions.

Background memory optimisation
In Android 14 Developer Preview 2, the memory management system has been enhanced to improve resource utilisation. Compared to Android 13, background work is now prohibited more quickly - just seconds after an app enters the cached state - even outside of traditional Android app lifecycle APIs such as foreground services, JobScheduler, and WorkManager.

Regional Preferences
Android 14 provides users with the flexibility to customise their experience according to their regional preferences. They can modify temperature units, the starting day of the week, and numbering systems to suit their requirements. This feature enables users to easily locate and adjust app preferences from a central location, and the ability to back up and restore their preferences.

Emoji Lab
XDA Developers dug into the developer build, uncovering a new Emoji Lab tool in the latest Android 14 preview. The Emoji Lab allows users to create a wallpaper in just three simple steps. Firstly, users can choose up to 14 different emojis to use as the foundation. Secondly, they can select the pattern in which the emojis are arranged, with various options such as "Mosaic," "Lotus," and "Stacks." Lastly, users can choose from an array of two-tone colour palettes.

Flash Notifications
Within the Accessibility panel of Android 14 Developer Preview 2, Google has introduced a new option called "Flash notifications." This feature can benefit individuals with hearing impairments, as it provides an additional visual cue when a call, SMS, or app notification is received.

As its name suggests, the second Developer Preview is still primarily intended for app developers to use for testing. After the release of this Developer Preview, the first Beta version will be launched in April, followed by three additional Beta releases in the following months.

The Android 14 Developer Preview 2 comes for Google Pixel devices, including the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 4a 5G.

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