Google recently released the second Android 14 developer preview on March 8, which is a significant step towards the stable Android 14 release later this year. While Pixel owners can already install this preview on their devices using our Android 14 installation guide, users with phones from other brands will have to wait for the beta releases in a couple of months. These early previews give us a good idea of what to expect regarding features and tweaks. In this article, we will take a look at what’s new in Android 14 and run through all the best Android 14 features worth knowing so far.
Android 14: Name and Release Date
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Google used to name its Android versions after sweet treats before Android 10. This included Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Android 8 Oreo, and Android 9 Pie. However, Google now sticks with the version number, so Android 14 is simply known as Android 14. Nevertheless, Google still uses dessert names internally, and it turns out that Android 14 is dubbed Upside Down Cake. There is no official word on the final Android 14 release date yet. However, Google notes that Android 14 is expected to reach the platform stability milestone in June, and developers will have “several weeks” from this point to test their apps before the stable release.
Previous versions of Android were released in August 2022, October 2021, and September 2020. So, it’s safe to say that a Q3 to early Q4 release is on the cards. However, OEMs like Samsung and Xiaomi often take a little longer to release new Android versions as they need to first customize it with their own software skins.
Android 14 Accessibility Features
Google has done an excellent job over the years when it comes to implementing accessibility features. Android 13 introduced a new reading mode for visually impaired users, native braille display support, and audio descriptions. Meanwhile, Android 12 delivered improved screen magnification and the ability to control your screen with facial gestures.
Fonts Go Even Larger
Android has supported large fonts for ages now, but what if the largest option isn’t big enough for you? Well, you’re in luck as one of the biggest Android 14 features (literally) is larger font sizes. Users can now scale font sizes up to 200% in Android 14 versus Android 13 topping out at 130% on Pixels. Interestingly, the company says it’ll also use non-linear font scaling so that text that’s already large won’t see further size increases. For example, a heading might not see a size increase, but smaller text below the heading could grow larger.
Notification Flashes
Android 14 introduces a new feature called Notification Flashes, which is a visual cue that alerts users to incoming notifications. This feature is particularly useful for users who are hard of hearing or deaf. Notification Flashes will cause the camera flash to blink when a notification arrives, making it easier for users to notice. Users can customize the color and frequency of the flashes to their liking.
Overall, Android 14 is shaping up to be an exciting release with several new features and improvements. We can’t wait to see what else Google has in store for us when the stable release arrives later this year.
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Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
Android 14 introduces several new privacy features and changes to enhance user security. One of the most significant changes is the new Privacy Dashboard, which provides users with a comprehensive overview of their app permissions and how they are being used.
Microphone and camera indicators
Android 14 also introduces new microphone and camera indicators that appear in the status bar when an app is using these features. This feature is designed to give users more control over their privacy and help them identify when an app is accessing their microphone or camera.
Additionally, Android 14 introduces a new feature that allows users to grant temporary permissions to apps. This feature is particularly useful for apps that require access to sensitive data, such as location or contacts, but only for a limited time.
Scoped storage improvements
Android 14 also brings improvements to scoped storage, which is a feature that restricts app access to certain parts of the device’s storage. With Android 14, developers will have more flexibility in how they use scoped storage, making it easier to implement in their apps.
Finally, Android 14 introduces a new feature called Private Compute Core, which is designed to enhance user privacy by processing sensitive data on the device itself rather than in the cloud.
Conclusion
Overall, Android 14 brings a range of new features and improvements that enhance the user experience and improve device performance. From language-related tweaks to battery-saving features and enhanced privacy controls, Android 14 is a significant update that is sure to please Android users around the world.
of Android 14. However, there are also some expected and rumored features that could make their way into the final release.
Improved notifications
Android 14 could bring some improvements to notifications, including the ability to snooze them for longer periods of time and more customization options.
Enhanced voice recognition
There are rumors that Android 14 could come with enhanced voice recognition capabilities, allowing for more natural and accurate voice commands.
Better battery life
Google is always working on improving battery life, and Android 14 could bring some new optimizations to help your device last longer on a single charge.
More privacy controls
Given the focus on privacy in recent years, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Android 14 introduce even more privacy controls and features.
Of course, these are just rumors at this point, and we’ll have to wait for Google to officially announce Android 14 to know for sure what features it will include.
Conclusion
Android 14 may not have as many privacy and security features as previous releases, but the changes it does bring are significant. Blocking older apps from being installed and giving users more control over which photos and videos apps can access are both important steps in protecting user privacy. And while there may not be many user-facing cross-device improvements, the developer-focused additions should help make apps run more smoothly on a variety of devices.
As for the rumored features, we’ll just have to wait and see what Google has in store for us. But if even a few of them make it into the final release, Android 14 could be a major update for Android users.
Tech Leaks: Android 14 Features to Look Forward To
Android 14 is set to release soon, and while the first developer preview has already been released, there are still more features to look forward to. Here are some of the features that have been officially confirmed or are expected based on hints in Google code.
Native Support for Satellite Connectivity
Google executive Hiroshi Lockheimer confirmed via a tweet in September 2022 that Android 14 will have native support for satellite connectivity. While specific capabilities have not been clarified, this feature should make things easier for smartphone brands and service providers.
Predictive Back Gesture
Android’s back gesture functionality can be unpredictable at times, but Google is working on a solution for Android 14. Veteran journalist and code sleuth Mishaal Rahman uncovered evidence that Android 14 will offer a predictive back gesture feature by default. This will give users a visual preview of where the back gesture will take them.
Integrated Health Connect
The Health Connect app is a hub to collect health data from various fitness and health apps. While still a downloadable app, hints suggest that Google could integrate it into Android 14 out-of-the-box, either as an app or via Project Mainline.
Cloned Apps
Google could be working on an app cloning feature for Android 14, which would allow users to clone apps without needing to buy a phone from OEMs that support it. This feature appears to be a work in progress.
Bloatware Finder
Google is working on a feature for Android 14 called “Apps installed in the background,” which will show users any and all apps that have downloaded secretly and allow them to uninstall them quickly. While this feature needs to be activated with hidden developer flags, it is a step towards fighting bloatware.
Other Spotted or Rumored Android 14 Features
Other features that have been spotted or rumored for Android 14 include Fast Pair in the Connected Devices menu, a new Emoji Wallpaper feature for Pixel phones, and advanced memory protection to protect against exploits.
Android 14 is shaping up to be an exciting release, with features that will make using the operating system more intuitive and user-friendly. Stay tuned for more updates on Android 14 and other tech news on Tech Leaks.
Everything You Need to Know About Android 14
Android 14 is the latest version of the Android operating system, and it’s packed with exciting features that will enhance your smartphone experience. Here are the top 14 questions and answers about Android 14:
1. Will Android 14 improve my phone’s camera capabilities?
It’s too early to tell, as we’ll have to wait and see in future builds.
2. Should I install the Android 14 preview?
Unless you really know what you’re doing or have a second phone lying around, it’s better to wait for the stable Android 14 release. Previews may have bugs and generally lack polish.
3. When will my phone get the stable Android 14 release?
Google Pixel phones tend to get stable Android releases on the day they’re released. However, if you have a phone from another brand like Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, or Motorola, you’ll need to wait.
4. What are the best Android 14 features?
So far, some of the best Android 14 features include improved privacy settings, enhanced notifications, and better performance. We’ll be sure to update this article with new features as new Android 14 previews are released.
Stay tuned for more updates on Android 14 from Tech Leaks, your go-to source for the latest leaks, guides, and walkthroughs on all things tech.
