Delhi Delhi. Google has released the first public beta build of Android 16 – the upcoming version of the world's most popular mobile operating system. Android 16 brings tighter privacy controls, photography-focused improvements, and support for better resizing of apps. However, the standout feature is Live Updates, which is Google's answer to Apple's Live Activities that started with iOS 16.
All the new things seen in the first public beta of Android 16
The most striking feature is Live Updates, which allows apps to show real-time information on the phone's lock screen or a dedicated area of the screen – mostly around the punch-hole in Apple's dynamic island style. For example, food delivery and quick commerce apps can give users up-to-the-minute updates on their orders, and navigation apps like Google Maps use live updates to provide turn-by-turn navigation information. Can.
Real-time information on “ongoing activities” will be shown using custom icons, which each app can customize to be attractive to users. Apple's Dynamic Island-powered Live Activities is a great example for Google. However, this is not new to Android phone users. Many OEMs have already implemented this functionality in their phones; Android 16 will bring only native support.
Google is also expanding predictive back animation functionality to the three-button navigation mode. This feature was first introduced for gesture-based input, allowing users to see a preview of an app by swiping up and holding the navigation. Android 16 improves video recording on compatible smartphones, including support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which allows recording video up to 8K resolution, multiple feed inputs, HDR10, HDR10+, and RAW quality. With Android 16, developers can allow their apps to offer resizable windows.
Who can download the first public beta of Android 16?
Public beta testers are eligible to download the first public beta of Android 16. It is only available for Pixel smartphones via over-the-air (OTA) update. Compatible devices include Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Includes Pixel Fold and Pixel tablet.
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