Google released Android 13 beta 3, and while there are no major changes in this version, that’s probably the goal, as the version has reached platform stability. This means there will be no significant changes to the Android 13 APIs, and developers can adjust their apps for the version when it is released to consumers. “We ask all app and game developers to start their final compatibility testing now and prepare to release their compatibility updates as soon as possible before the final release,” the company said in a blog post.
Android 13 Release Timeline Google released the first developer beta in February and made notable announcements with the release of the second public beta in May at its developer conference. The firm has focused on improving privacy and security with this version, but it also has some visual changes to the Material You design, which first launched with Android 12. Here’s a rundown of some unique features in Android 13: Google will implement pre-set color variants, so you can apply custom styles to apps. Android 13 will bring dynamic color functionality so that app icons match the scheme of your background image on the home screen.
Themed icons Apps will now have to ask for your permission before sending you push notifications. This means you can select whether an app can send you notifications when you first open it, preventing notification spam. Developers can set their apps to request nearby Wi-Fi networks without asking for location permission. This ensures that you’re not reluctantly giving your location away to an app just so it can access your Wi-Fi network. Android 13 will also introduce a photo and video picker, allowing you to share selected media files with an app without having to give them access to your entire library. The next version of Android will also extend granular controls to the file system. You will be able to give access to your photos and videos and music and audio separately.
Image credits: Google Apps will need to request specific permission if it uses or monitors body sensors in the background, such as heart rate or temperature. Google will bring a language switcher for apps, so you can choose a different language for each app regardless of the system language.
Android 13 Language Switcher Android 13 will also have better support for larger screens like tablets and foldables. An updated taskbar will make it easier to switch between apps or use two apps in split-screen mode. Apart from these, there are some useful features like search shortcuts for Youtube, Maps, Play Store and Settings and a new Privacy Control menu for microphone, camera, location and clipboard permissions. At Google IO in May, the company announced that its budget phone, the Pixel 6a, will be available starting July 28. Also, its main Pixel 7 series will launch in the fall. A comparison page on the company’s site suggests that the 6a will launch with Android 12. So we may only see the final release of Android 13 with the Pixel 7 launch. fast forward two months to reach platform stability by comparison. to the last year. Hopefully, this means more apps will adopt Android 13 features at launch. Google’s announcement comes days after Apple released its iOS 16 beta for developers. Although Android 13 will be available for select phones at launch, Google would like to compete with Apple in order to brag about its release date.
