Google has released Android 14 Developer Preview. This gives a little description of the updates that will be coming to Android phones.
The internet search giant states that Android 14 aims to improve productivity, improve performance, privacy, security and user customization. That being said, this is just the start of the release cycle, and more updates will be shared in the future.
Currently, devices that can install Android 14 Developer Preview include the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 4a. If you don't have a Pixel device, you can use a 64-bit system image with the Android Emulator in Android Studio.
Update in Android 14 Developer Preview
Working across devices and form factors: Google says that Multi-device experiences are a big focus for the future of Android. To prepare apps for large screens and foldables, the app quality guide has been updated with more learning resources made available.
Large-screen galleries are available showcasing successful design patterns and inspiration for various app categories, such as social and communications, media, productivity, shopping, and reading apps.
Simplifying background work: Android 14 continues to improve how apps interact, improve system performance, increase battery life, and provide enhanced user experiences.
JobScheduler and Foreground Services updates and additions: With Android 14, changes are being made to existing APIs such as Foreground Services and JobScheduler, including new features for data transfer and updated requirements for declaring service types. Google Play will also implement new policies for the proper use of these APIs, with more information to be announced soon.
Customization: Android 14 continues to provide users with the ability to personalize their experience, including improvements in accessibility and internationalization.
Font Size Increase: Starting with Android 14, users will have the option to increase the font size by up to 200%, compared to the previous maximum of 130% on Pixel devices.
Per app language preference: Input Method Editors (IME) can now use LocaleManager.getApplicationLocales to determine the app's current UI language, which allows updating the keyboard language accordingly.
Grammar Inflection API: The Grammar Inflection API enables easier support for users who speak languages with gender-defined grammar.
Improved Privacy and Security: Android 14 includes features such as runtime receivers, safer implicit intents, safer dynamic code loading, block installation of apps with targetSdkVersion lower than 23 (existing apps with this version will remain installed on devices upgrading to Android 14), Credential Manager and Passkeys support, app compatibility, and more for greater privacy and security.
Android 14 update timeline
Google has shared the timeline for the Android 14 update. The Android 14 Preview Program, which started in February 2023, will run through March, with a beta release in April that will run until July. The final public release for AOSP and OEM is planned for the middle of this year, which is sometime in August.
February - Developer Preview 1. Initial baseline building focused on developer feedback, with new features, APIs, and behavior changes.
March - Developer Preview 2. Additional update with additional features, APIs, and behavior changes.
April - Beta 1. Early beta quality release, an over-the-air update for early adopters who signed up for Android Beta.
May - Beta 2. Additional Beta quality releases
Jun.- Beta 3. First Platform Stability Milestones, including final API and behavior. Play publishing is also open.
July - Beta 4. Nearly final build for final testing.
August - Android 14 to AOSP and the ecosystem.