UPDATE: 09/06/2023 09:00 EST BY ROLAND UDVARLAKI
We regularly update these posts to ensure they contain up-to-date and relevant information with the latest news. We added a new rumored date for the official release of Android 14, and the updated logo and font for the Android operating system.
Android 14 has been in the eyes of the public since February 2023. The new operating system will provide several quality-of-life improvements, taking advantage of new AI features, optimizations, and more. Android is getting new wallpaper and lock screen customization features, improved back gesture animations, app cloning features, and the ability to uninstall some first-party applications. At I/O 2023, Google kept the ball rolling by introducing new AI-based customization features that are coming to help make your device more personal. It also mentioned modifications to over 50 applications (core and third-party) that will make using them on the Android tablets more exciting.
Here, we’ll include all the new features and improvements that Android is bringing to the table. You’ll find the new features, enhancements, and small changes down below. We also added instructions for installing the developer and the beta previews, as well as several Pixel-branded devices you can use to try out the new Android 14 platform before it rolls out to the public and other device makers.
Android 14 is currently available to the public for testing via the beta program. If you’re interested in trying out the upcoming update you can install it on your Pixel device. But we advise against installing it on your primary device. These early releases often contain bugs that could break core functionalities and restrict certain apps from working. Nevertheless, if you do choose to install the beta version, make sure to back up your data.
Google reveals a new logo for Android
On September 5, 2023, Google revealed a brand-new logo for the Android operating system, alongside a new 3D robot. The company changed the font that “more closely mirrors Google’s logo and creates balance between the two”, said Jason Fournier in Google’s blog post. “android”” is also now capitalized.
Additionally, the company is returning the robot with a new 3D look (called “bugdroid”) that’ll change its appearance with various colors and themes based on different occasions. In the blog post, Google already showed off a disco ball-looking Android robot, a unicorn, and another with rainbow colors.
Our new visuals draw inspiration from Material design to complement the Google brand palette, as well as be adaptable. The refreshed and dynamic robot shows up where Android connects with people, community and cultural moments. It can reflect individual passions, personality and context.
What is Android 14 called?
Google no longer follows its dessert naming scheme and, instead, applies a numerical number for each new release. That said, Google internally continued adding sweet names to its OS versions, and Android 14 is officially called “Upside Down Cake”.
Upside Down Cake is the next new version after Tiramisu (Android 13), Snow Cone (Android 12), and Red Velvet (Android 11).
When is Android 14 coming out?
Source: Google, Illustration by Roland Udvarlaki (Pocketnow)
According to timeline details shared by Google, Android 14 is set to follow a release schedule similar to previous version updates. Developer Previews reached devices in Q1 2023. Beta releases were published in Q2 2023. In the third quarter of the year we saw “Platform Stability” updates (Beta 3, 4, and 5) to go out.
According to Mishaal Rahman, the Android 14 OS was scheduled to release on September 5, 2023. OEMs were expecting the final and official release to be released on the day, but Google apparently made a last-minute decision to delay it by a month. OEMs are now reportedly told that vulnerabilities detailed in Android 14 will be published on October 4, which is coincidentally the date Google set out to release its new devices, including the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the Pixel Watch 2.
While we don’t have an official confirmation, Mishaal has been accurate in the past, and that’s the only information we can go by at this time. If true, we can expect the latest-generation Google Pixel devices, and the latest version of Android 14 announced at the October 4 Made By Google event that’ll be held in New York.
Historically, Google released the final versions in August and September; we expect Android 14 to follow the trend in 2023.
Platform Stability updates are a consolidated version where Google will no longer add or remove features, but rather focus on refining the software for public use.
What devices are compatible with Android 14 beta program?
Alongside the timeline, Google also announced the compatible devices eligible to enter the Developer preview and Beta program. In a usual fashion, the list only includes Pixel devices, but it goes all the way back to the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a (5G). You can find the full list below:
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Google Pixel 7
$499 $600 Save $101
The new Google Pixel 7 is powered by the all-new Google Tensor G2 chipset. The device is coupled with 8GB of memory, and it has 128/256GB storage tiers. The phone comes with a significantly improved camera system, and it’s more portable than the last generation. The Pixel 7 is available in Obsidian, Lemongrass, and Snow colors.
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Google Pixel 7 Pro
$699 $899 Save $200
The Google Pixel 7 Pro, powered by the new Google Pixel Tensor sensor, provides great graphics performance and computing power to let you easily play all of your favorite games and multitask. The device also has a highly capable camera setup that’s backed by a unique post-processing algorithm that helps achieve great results.
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Google Pixel Fold
The Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable smartphone offering some of the finest hardware and software on the market. The device features a 5.8-inch cover display and a big 7.6-inch foldable display. It is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset and is backed by a 4,821 mAh battery.
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Google Pixel 7a
$450 $500 Save $50
The Pixel 7a is the new affordable smartphone from Google, featuring much-awaited features such as a 90Hz responsive display, a more powerful camera setup, and support for wireless charging. The Pixel 7a is powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, and it’s the best device in the A series yet.
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Google Pixel 6a
$299 $449 Save $150
If you don’t care about high refresh rate, wireless charging, a glass back, and a few other tidbits, this should be your phone. It’s a Pixel that features the same chipset as the last year’s Pixel 6 series but less expensive. Check out all the deals on the device using the links given below.
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Google Pixel Tablet
The Google Pixel Tablet aims to provide the best large-screen entertainment center at home. It’s powered by the new Tensor G2 chipset, and has many smart home features built-in. It comes with a speaker dock to provide the ultimate portable home entertainment experience.
How to install the official Android 14 Beta?
The easiest way to install the Android 14 Beta 1 software is by visiting the official website. If you have an eligible device, and you’re signed in, you should see your Pixel smartphone on the list. You can opt-in and receive the first Beta update via an OTA (Over-the-Air) update within a few hours and install the new OS.
If you later decide to opt-out of the Android Beta Program, you must know that your device will be wiped if you leave before the Android 14 stable version is released. This means that you’ll have to go through a factory-reset, and you’ll lose all of your information. To opt-out, you can visit the same page that you used to sign-up, where you’ll see your compatible devices and an “opt-out” button underneath them. After restoration, the device will be factory-reset and run the latest publicly available version of Android 13.
If you have an unlocked bootloader and want to flash the factory image via fastboot, there’s an excellent guide at XDA that you can follow.
What’s new in Android 14?
New system icon
Source: Android
Android 14 has a new system icon resembling a mission badge for rockets. The new icon appears in system settings, notifications, and other pop-up windows throughout the operating system.
Better accessibility features
Google adds new accessibility features in every new Android release. In Android 14, users will be able to scale text up to 200%. The scaling option previously maxed out at just 130%. The scaling curve will also change to prevent scaling issues with the layout to a new non-linear option.
Additionally, evidence suggests that Android 14 could make adding hearing devices and hearing aid possible via Bluetooth. The settings could provide additional features to supported devices, providing better audio for the users.
Flash notifications
Android 14 Developer preview 2 added a new option to flash the screen in 12 pre-defined colors. The new option in settings allows users to flash either the camera LED lights, or the screen (or both) to flash when new notifications or alarms sound. This can be useful to notify users when they receive a call, SMS text messages, notifications from apps, and other types of alarms. There are no additional settings, and this can’t be customized on an individual app basis.
The new “Flash notifications” feature can be found in:
- Settings
- Accessibility
- Flash notifications
New back gesture animation
Previous Android versions included the back gesture animation, but let’s just say they weren’t always obvious. It was often frustrating and confusing, since the animation blended in with the background, making it hard to see. That appears to change in Android 14, as Google unveiled a new design with a unique animation.
The new back gesture will now reveal the screen you’re about to visit, helping you see the window you’re about to navigate back. The new button will come with its own unique animation, which will also follow the new Material You themed features to adopt the color based on your system settings and wallpaper.
Mishaal Rahman activated the flags, required to try out the new back gesture, and here’s how it looks in action. As you can see, the application adds a peeking animation, indicating users that they’re about to leave the app, or go back to a previous state or window. The new interface also sports a new pill-shaped design that contains an arrow.
While that’s all nice and looks good in practice, the main issue appears to be the new way this may be implemented. As it stands, developers would have to implement and support this feature on a per-app basis, and it won’t be the default behavior in Android 14. The advantage is that developers can further optimize and enhance the experience with more visual differences. Still, the downside is that there may be even more confusion when using the back gesture.
Only time will tell whether developers will use this, and things can still change when Android 14 Beta and the final build becomes available later in the fall. In developer preview 2, Google started supporting this feature in the settings on Pixel devices.
Blocking the installation of older apps
Android 14 will prevent and restrict sideloading applications by default. This means that users won’t be able to download and install applications that are targeting SDK versions 23 or lower. For those unaware, the SDK dates back to 2015 and Android version 6.
Google explains that the older SDKs are used to install malware and other malicious software on Android devices, and this restriction is aimed at preventing that from happening. The move will make it harder to install malicious software on newer Android devices. Fortunately, Android will enable users to bypass this by overriding the settings via an ADB command.
adb install –bypass-low-target-sdk-block APPLICATION.apk
Improved per-app language, and new regional preferences options
Android 13 introduced the option to change the language on a per-app basis, enabling you to change the language for select applications. According to the latest findings, developers can display select languages in the settings, allowing them to show different options for different regions.
Additionally, there may be another “regional preferences” option in settings that would enable you to change the temperature units, and other number preferences within the menu. This would allow users to change the temperature from Fahrenheit to Celsius, use different calendars, and change the first day of the week, and the number system you prefer using.
The Regional Preferences feature gives more customization options to both users and developers. The function could finally mean that conversions are no longer necessary and could be done automatically in just a few taps.
App cloning
Dual messenger on Samsung One UI 5.1
Many manufacturers allow you to clone applications, such as WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, and more. These clone apps let you add multiple accounts to messaging apps, that would otherwise limit you to a single account on a device.
According to the latest discoveries, the Android team may be working on bringing the new feature to Android 14, allowing users to do the same app cloning that has been available on some devices for several years.
Lock screen customization
At Google I/O 2023, Google revealed that Android 14 would enable users to customize their lock screens with new clock face with various different styles, new live wallpapers, and colors. Widgets are also returning with icon packs, and even more options to provide more features for power users.
The new wallpaper option will enable users to create their own images using emojis. Additionally, Google showcased a more immersive way, using artificial parallax effect to turn any wallpaper into a live image. There will also be a way for users to create wallpapers from text prompts, but Google hasn’t shipped this feature in the beta releases, and it’ll reportedly only be released at a later date.
Network changes and the ability to switch to eSIM across Android devices
Physical SIM, eSIM, and iSIM, Source: Pocketnow
Users who rely on and use two SIM cards in their devices might have encountered a problem where they had to switch between the two numbers to get a better reception. According to some new findings, the process may soon be automated, allowing users to automatically switch between the two sim cards, based on the signal in their local area. The option will enable users to temporarily switch between networks to increase the signal strength to make calls and access the internet.
Additionally, Android 14 could enable users to turn physical SIM cards into eSIMs on the device itself. Assuming that the carrier builds a solution to support this method, it could make switching and upgrading to new Android devices much easier in the future, reducing the need to contact the carrier whenever the SIM needs to be transferred.
This feature dates all the way back to Android 13’s Developer Preview builds, and it could soon arrive in Developer, and Beta builds in Android 14.
Option to uninstall bloatware
Carriers love installing bloatware on smartphones, and Google might be looking into adding an option to remove these from the devices. A new finding suggests that “Apps installed in the background” could soon enable users to remove these applications that may have been installed by carriers and manufacturer partners. We can only hope this makes it onto the final build of Android 14 later in the fall, as it could finally free up valuable space on devices and allow users to get rid of applications they never use.
The share menu has undergone several changes in the past few years, and while it’s come a long way, it’s still far from perfect. Many applications have different layouts and designed share menus, making it difficult and sometimes confusing to select the platform or contact you want to share information with.
To combat this, the share menu could soon become independent of system updates, making it easier for Google to implement and update on devices. A universal share menu could be a reality as Google works on a solution to have one universal share sheet across all Android 14 running devices.
