Android 14 was the most anticipated release for Android users on New Year’s Day. Developers announced it in February 2023, and the first beta program was released in April. Since Android 14 has many updated features, developers tested all of them in the first beta. However, the first beta had an issue with the wallpaper and style app.
That was not the only issue; there were a few more. If you are aware, you might know that Google recently held its annual I/O 2023, which has now ended. At this event, they released Pixel 7A and many other improvements. Google announced Android 14 Beta 2 at this event. This time, there are a few changes from the previous beta. So, let’s take a look at Android 14 Beta 2.
Google announced its second Beta program for Android 14 – at Google I/O 2023
Android 14 Developer Preview Program for Vivo, IQOO, Nothing, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme | Download OTA and Guide to Flash #GoogleIO
— AndroidGreek (@AndroidGreek) May 11, 2023
Follow the beta channel to download and install it on your phone, 🔽https://t.co/ml22ujBarK#android14beta #GoogleIO2023 pic.twitter.com/AqMXbRAx4p
In February 2023, Google announced Android 14 to enhance the user experience and promised to release it this year. In April 2023, they conducted their first public beta. The participants in this beta praised the back arrow look, which complements the background and overall theme of the device, as well as the new share sheet already seen in Chrome betas. Apart from blocking older apps from installing, more graphic capabilities, personalization, and app compatibility are other smart features of Android 14.
Besides that, the other definite reason to do Beta 2 is that Picture-In-Picture Mode is flickering. Meanwhile, there is a serious need for Beta 2. So, now developers have announced Android 14 Beta 2 and started it. But this time, they have invited beta program participants from selected Vivo, OnePlus, Realme, Xiaomi, iQOO, and Pixel phones. If you recall, beta 1 was only for eligible Pixel devices. So, before going ahead to learn its features, let’s have a look at the devices eligible for Android 14 Beta 2.
| List of devices eligible for Android 14 Beta 2 Program | |
|---|---|
| OnePlus 11 Nothing Phone (1) Xiaomi 12T Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro iQOO 11 Vivo X90 series Realme GT 2 Pro OPPO Find N2 Flip | Lenovo Tab Extreme Techno Camon 20 series Pixel 4a Pixel 5 and 5a Pixel 6 and 6 Pro Pixel 6a Pixel 7, 7a and 7 Pro Pixel 7 Fold |
I am sure that after learning that one of your devices is eligible for the Android 14 Beta 2, you are eager to know what’s new or improved in this beta and how to join such a program. Do not worry, we will cover both. So, for better understanding, we will first let you know what changes have been made in this beta, so take a look.
Improved Camera Performance
In today’s day and age, even budget phones are capable of capturing up to 50MP images with multiple camera modes. Android 13 had a legacy feature called HDR video recording, but at a later stage of the project, such HDR was not working perfectly, and the picture/video quality degraded later on. For that reason, in Android 14 Beta 2, developers added support for 10-bit HDR so that the camera sensor can provide more information to the phone’s processor to process better and produce more accurate images.
Added Capabilities with the Camera Extension
By moving the optics away from the camera, Camera extensions increase the magnification of the lens of smartphones. Initially, there were a lot of issues with this, but with Android 14 Beta 2, we have a lot of improvements such as Dynamic captures better latency estimation, support for capture progress callbacks, extension-specific metadata, Postview feature for still capture, support for tap to zoom and focus in the extension, and Surface view for optimized preview render path.
Increased Efficiency with In-Sensor Zoom
The In-Sensor zoom plays a vital role while capturing pictures. If you recall with Android 13, developers made improvements and added support for capturing raw images with the best possible accuracy. Now with Android 14 Beta 2, request override controls are implemented with In-sensor zoom so that cropped raw images stream the same pixels as the full field of view using CaptureRequest.
Support for Lossless USB Audio
Previously, there was a problem with the wired USB due to the android version’s inefficiency with processing it. But in Android 14 Beta 2, developers added support for lossless USB audio so that you can query a USB device for its desired mixer attributes. In addition, you can register a listener for changes in these mixers so you can configure them using AudioMixerAttributes. Meanwhile, audio can be sent directly without any adjustments. Note that developers are working with OEM Partners to enable such a feature this year.
Added More Graphic Capabilities
No matter what graphics are introduced unless they are supported by Android. As we all know, graphics run over OS and are based on Android. Earlier, Android 13 made a lot of advancements in graphics, but now with Android 14 Beta 2, developers added more graphic capabilities. In which some special ones are customer meshes with vertex and Fragment shaders and Hardware renderer for canvas. Both are added to provide better flexibility and low latency drawing.
New Predictive Back UI
This UI is merely for developers’ side but provides a way to set such UI on an activity basis. Also, there are a plethora of ways to choose between multiple animations in switching between activities. It has design guidance to create custom animation and so on added new API for better support. Meanwhile, a completely new way to make your phone more cool and flexible, developers added such a tweak with UI.
Enhanced Privacy Section
Since privacy cannot be compromised, developers focused on it as well in the new Android. This time they have done privacy enrichment in three ways: Health connect (Health-related data repository only available for Android 14), Data Sharing Updates, and secure full-screen intent notification. The Android 14 Beta 2 provides more privacy features like managing data sharing updates via Google Play Console, using screen intent notifications, and using Health Connect, a new app designed for Android Health.
Now you have everything you need to know about Android 14 Beta 2, and you are eager to get this beta on your device. The only problem is, where do you find out how to join it? Don’t worry, we are here to help. Simply follow the instructions below to join the Android 14 Beta 2 Program.
- On your device, visit the Android 14 developers site.
- Then log in to your Google account.
- Now tap on “Get started.”
- Next, tap on “Google devices” (for Pixel phones) and “other partners” (for other eligible devices).
- After that, go to the Partners List.
- Now look for your device and tap on “Get the beta” option.
- Next, download the Android 14 Beta firmware from there.
- Then flash that firmware and follow on-screen instructions, if any (Don’t know how to flash firmware? Read here).
- That’s all, you are done.
Besides that, one thing to note is that Android 14 platform stability is expected to happen in June 2023. For this, App compatibility is already live to check your apps and review the behavioral changes. But you should note that whatever bugs or downsides you find in this Android, you should give honest feedback to developers so that user experience is not compromised. To conclude, developers are very attentive and serious about rolling out Android 14, so get ready to experience it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans. There are many new improvements, all of which are listed above.
Ans. Ultimately, it enriches the user experience by introducing new features and improving previous bugs and problems.
Ans. Of course, as it results in numerous improvements and fixes that were present in the Android 13 release.
Ans. It needs 3GB of RAM or less.
