Regardless that the secure launch of Android 14 has but to drop, Google went forward and launched the primary beta of Android’s subsequent launch earlier this week. No, not Android 15, however fairly Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1. QPR1 might be Android 14’s first quarterly platform launch, an interim replace that brings some new options and lots of bug fixes (however not any new APIs for builders).
Android 14 QPR1 will probably be launched for Pixel telephones in December as a part of that month’s Pixel Characteristic Drop, Google’s quarterly launch of latest Pixel-exclusive options. Nonetheless, Android 14 QPR1 may also be integrated into Android’s supply code, so any OEM can decide the options they discover interesting. Few, if any, system producers will roll out software program updates based mostly on Android 14 QPR1, although, as they’ll as an alternative select to attend for Android 15, which can incorporate all adjustments from QPR1, QPR2, and QPR3.
Meaning if you wish to expertise what the upcoming replace at the moment has to supply, you must have a Pixel telephone enrolled within the Android 14 QPR1 beta. If you happen to’re interested by what’s new however don’t wish to take care of any of the beta’s bugs, I’ve bought a rundown of what to anticipate.
Observe: this breakdown of options in Android 14 QPR1 is predicated on findings throughout the Beta 1 construct. There might be further betas, which might add, take away, or change a few of these options.
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Each new function you’ll be able to strive
Whereas not most new options aren’t explicitly highlighted by Google in its launch notes, there are a variety of user-facing options which are obtainable so that you can strive with the QPR1 beta put in in your Pixel telephone. Right here’s what I discovered:
Overriding an app’s side ratio
That is the one new function in Android 14 QPR1 that Google formally documented, and it’s geared toward large-screen gadgets just like the Pixel Fold and Pixel Pill. By a brand new settings menu, you’ll be able to override an app’s side ratio to lastly power apps like Instagram and Reddit into full display. This function isn’t unique to Pixel gadgets. My article for Android Authority has a bunch of screenshots exhibiting the side ratio settings and completely different modes you’ll be able to decide from.
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Utilizing your telephone as a webcam
Most smartphones provide vastly superior video high quality than your laptop computer’s built-in webcam, so why not use your Android telephone as a webcam to your PC? Whereas there are many apps that allow you to do that, they sometimes require putting in some software program in your telephone and your PC. Android 14 QPR1 on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 collection provides a brand new “webcam” choice to USB preferences that turns your telephone right into a wired webcam.
The approach this function works beneath the hood is a bit sophisticated, however the advantages are that it really works seamlessly with nearly any platform (Home windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and even Android itself), and it doesn’t require any further software program. Oh, and this function additionally isn’t unique to Pixel telephones: It’ll be a part of Android 14’s supply code, nevertheless it’ll be as much as OEMs to allow it.
Viewing your telephone’s battery well being
Android 14 QPR1 allows you to see some stats about your telephone’s battery, particularly its cycle rely (what number of cost and discharge cycles it’s gone by means of) and manufacture date. These stats may be accessed by going to Settings > About telephone > Battery data.
Whereas any Android system can technically present these stats, many aren’t set as much as show this information, so your mileage could differ about what data you’ll see right here.
Switching to the brand new “Metro” lock display clock
One of many key personalization options Google developed in Android 14 for Pixel telephones is lock display clock customization. Pixel customers can open the Wallpaper & Types app to select from a set of various clock kinds, which now features a new “Metro” type in Android 14 QPR1.
Holding apps open if you shut the Pixel Fold
One of many options I needed Google to copy from Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 5 is “proceed apps on cowl display,” which lets you choose apps that you simply wish to proceed utilizing on the outer display if you fold the telephone. Android 14 QPR1 type of has this, besides you’re not choosing apps from a menu.
Exhibiting solely new notifications on the lock display
On the Pixel Pill, there’s a brand new “present solely new notifications on lock display” toggle beneath Settings > Notifications. This setting, which is enabled by default, “routinely take away[s] beforehand considered notifications from the lock display.”
Setting a unique dwell wallpaper on the lock display and residential display
Imagine it or not, Android has by no means earlier than allow you to set a unique dwell wallpaper on the lock display and residential display, regardless that dwell wallpaper assist was launched again in 2009. Due to adjustments in Android 14, although, the lock display can now set its personal dwell wallpaper independently of the house display.
Though this transformation solely went dwell for Pixels within the Android 14 QPR1 beta, it’s truly a part of the core Android 14 OS, so any OEM can allow it. Nonetheless, Google solely enabled this transformation by default in QPR1, so some OEM flavors of Android 14 could not have this.
Altering a Bluetooth audio system’s sort
When Android connects to a Bluetooth system, it communicates with the system to determine what sort of system it’s and what it helps. Extra obscure gadgets could typically not be acknowledged and seem mislabeled in settings. That’s why Android 14 QPR1 now allows you to select the “audio system sort” of a related Bluetooth system. You’ll be able to decide between a speaker, headphones, automobile package, listening to help, or different. Sure options like spatial audio and listening to help preferences are solely obtainable when the system sort is ready to “headphones” and “listening to help,” respectively, for instance.
Selecting a most popular frequency to your hotspot
The “prolong compatibility” toggle in Android’s Wi-Fi hotspot settings has been changed with a “pace & compatibility” web page, which helps you to decide between 2.4 and 5GHz or 6GHz frequencies for a hotspot.
Exhibiting bodily key presses
Android is including a brand new developer possibility that “present[s] visible suggestions for bodily key presses.” If you happen to, for instance, press the quantity up key, a dialog seems on the backside of the display that claims “VOLUME_UP.”
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1: Each hidden function
Whereas there are many user-facing options in QPR1 Beta 1, there are some adjustments that aren’t as apparent, or that lay the groundwork for future builds. Listed below are those that I’ve discovered:
Finding your Pixel telephone even when it’s off
If you wish to discover your misplaced Android telephone, your finest wager is to fireside up Discover My System on one other Android system or PC since Google’s service is baked into each Android telephone. Nonetheless, Discover My System can solely at the moment find gadgets which are on-line, a minimum of till the Discover My System community rolls out. Even then, although, it gained’t have the ability to find gadgets which are powered off.
That might change for choose Pixel telephones in Android 14 QPR1, although, as code throughout the OS suggests you’ll have the ability to find them even once they’re powered off.
Looking your telephone utilizing the floating search bar
Android 12 launched a highly effective on-device search engine that allows you to search by means of your apps, contacts, settings, and extra. Android 14 QPR1 is making ready a revamp to the best way you entry that search engine. The brand new floating search bar sits atop your keyboard within the app drawer as an alternative of on the prime of the display. It additionally follows you to the latest display, not like earlier than. A video of the brand new floating search bar may be discovered on Android Authority so you’ll be able to see how this function works in motion.
Manufacturing facility resetting your telephone earlier than you ship it in for restore gained’t be mandatory
Code inside Android 14 QPR1 suggests you’ll have the ability to enter a “restore mode” on Pixel telephones. This restore mode will present a “safe setting for system restore,” which sounds so much like Upkeep Mode on Samsung telephones. Nonetheless, it’ll probably work otherwise than Samsung’s model of the function.
Bringing again Google Now on Faucet…kinda?
Google Now on Faucet could have been short-lived, nevertheless it was (and nonetheless is) a really beloved function. Its religious successor is Google Assistant’s “search display” button, which is powered by Google Lens. To entry that button, although, it’s a must to first name up the Assistant. Android 14 QPR1 is making ready a brand new long-press display search gesture that’ll skip that step. Sadly, that gesture at the moment doesn’t work.
Saving an app pair
Google has been engaged on letting you save an app pair — a pair of apps that launch side-by-side in split-screen mode — since Android 14 Beta 2. Now, in QPR1, the function is getting nearer to launch. Whereas app pairs can now be saved to the house display and launched, they don’t have an icon and may’t be renamed.
As I beforehand reported, Android is getting assist for saving an app pair, and extra progress has been made on this function. In Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1, now you can truly save and launch an app pair. Nonetheless, it doesn’t have an icon and may’t be renamed. pic.twitter.com/3AgTJHFcHySeptember 20, 2023
Turning your telephone over to panorama whereas on the lock display
Android’s lock display has been locked (no pun supposed) to portrait mode because the starting, apart from on tablets and different large-screen gadgets. In Android 14 QPR1, although, Google is attempting to optimize the lock display in order that it may be utilized in panorama mode on telephones.
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Modifying the house display
The Pixel Launcher is making ready a brand new “edit house display” possibility that may allow you to add or take away a number of gadgets from a house display web page with out having to always reselect gadgets.
Updating the firmware of the Pixel Pill’s (unreleased) stylus and keyboard
The Pixel Pill launched with none first-party keyboard or stylus equipment, regardless that it helps USI 2.0. Earlier this yr, a retail demo app leaked the existence of Google’s keyboard and stylus equipment for the Pixel Pill. Now, new code inside Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 means that each equipment might be “good,” i.e., they’ll be able to receiving firmware updates. Android’s Settings app will seemingly inform customers when both accent has a firmware replace obtainable.
Talking of which, Android 14 QPR1 additionally features a new “movement prediction” machine studying mannequin that’s designed to cut back the perceived latency of drawing/handwriting with a stylus.
Placing bubbles right into a bubble bar
Google’s making ready a revamp of Android’s chat bubbles function, a minimum of on large-screen gadgets. A brand new bubble bar will seem on the backside proper that homes your chat bubbles. We don’t know what the bubble bar will appear to be, although.
Turning on an on the spot hotspot
Little is thought about this hidden setting proper now, however there’s an “on the spot hotspot” function within the works. My guess is it’ll improve the hotspot function of Chromebook’s Telephone Hub someway.
Pixel updates web page
The “system replace” web page may be getting a revamp that exhibits whether or not your OS, Mission Mainline modules, and Pixel system apps are up-to-date. At the moment, this web page solely exhibits your OS model.
Utilizing your present lock display wallpaper as your display saver
Android 14 QPR1 prepares to sync your lock display and display saver. A brand new setting will allow you to “use your present lock display wallpaper” as your “dream” (code-name for display saver).
That’s all the things I discovered thus far in Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1. I do know it’s so much to absorb, however QPR1 is often the place the main new options are added because it’s the place Google tries to align issues with their new Pixel launch. In distinction, QPR2 and particularly QPR3 might be lighter on options, as Google might be knee-deep into Android 15’s growth by then.