Google launches Android 13 Developer Preview for Pixel phones
Even as12L is still in the Beta Program ahead of its Q1 launch, Google today announced the Android 13 Developer Preview.
This is now the seventh year that Google is providing an early look at the direction Android is going in the fall. The preview isagaingetting underway in February to give developers more time to offer feedback and update apps.
Android 13 again has “privacy and security” as a major tentpole with a focus on “building a responsible and high quality platform for all by providing a safer environment on the device and more controls to the user.” This starts with asystem photo picker in Developer Preview 1 to provide a “standard and optimized way for users to share both local and cloud-based photos securely.”
It allows users to pick what images and videos are shared, while the photo picker API allows apps to access the shared media “without needing permission to view all media files on the device.” Google plans to bring this to Android 11 (except Go) and higher via a MediaProvider module update in the future.
Advertisement - scroll for more content- Here’s everything new in Android 13 Developer Preview 1 [Gallery]
- Android 13 gets accelerated release timeline with earlier start to betas
- Android 13 DP1: Any app can now offer a Material You-style Themed Icon
- New system-wide photo picker streamlines sharing
- Guest profiles can now access installed apps from the main profile
- Quick Tap gesture can now turn your flashlight on and off
- Google officially uses ‘Tiramisu’ name for the Android version
- Silent mode now fully disables all interaction-based haptic feedback
- Taskbar for big-screen devices grows to six slots, supports ‘suggested’ apps
- Android 13 DP1: Pixel Launcher supports two homescreen layouts, surely for foldables
In the same vein, a newNEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES runtime permission allows apps to discover/connect (over Wi-Fi) to nearby devices without needing the location permission.
The other big Android 13 focus is providing new tools for app developers. The highlight is allowing third-party applications tocreate Themed icons that were previously exclusive to the Pixel Launcher and first-party Google services. Developers just need to supply a monochromatic app icon (and tweak their adaptive icon XML). Google is encouraging all apps to do so and is working with OEMs on adoption.
Other highlights include letting apps create system dialogs showcasing custom Quick Settings tiles that users can then add with a single tap, setting per-all languages, and faster hyphenation. There’s also programmable shaders and OpenJDK 11 updates, as well as new Project Mainline modules for Bluetooth and Ultra wideband that can be updated via the Play Store.
As always, there’s theAndroid Beta Feedback app on Pixel devices. Users can access it from the drawer or via Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker; theAndroid Beta community remainson Reddit.
At launch, Android 13 Developer Previewsystem images are available for the Pixel 4 (XL), Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro, as well as in the Android Emulator.
DP1 (TPP1.220114.016) with the February security patch is officially “for developers only and not intended for daily or consumer use.” It’s available via manual download and flashing today, with the public-facing Android Beta coming later in the year. If you need help, here’s our fullguide on installing Android 13.
- Pixel 6 Pro:Factory Image —OTA
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- Pixel 5:Factory Image —OTA
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- Pixel 4 XL:Factory Image —OTA
- Pixel 4:Factory Image —OTA
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Abner LitechnacityEditor-in-chief. Interested in the minutiae of Google and Alphabet. Tips/talk: abner@9to5g.com