• Source:JND
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GOOGLE will host the I/O event in May that will pack products and software announcements. On similar lines, going by the new timeline, the company is on track to bring a wider roll-out of the upcoming Android version soon. We say this as Google has released the first Beta of Android 14. The announcement came via an Android Developers Blog.

The experience is now open to developers and early adopters. The beta build focuses on performance, customisation, privacy and more. A new back arrow and a revamp of the system sharesheet are among the key highlights. Plus, device experience for foldables and tablets will continue to improve, the blog shared.

The new back gesture hint matches the theme and wallpaper. An oval-shaped background behind the arrow can be seen in the image posted in the announcement. Secondly, apps can add "custom actions to system sharesheets they invoke." It is the page which pops up after you hit the share button. "In addition, the system now uses more app signals to determine the ranking of the direct share targets," it shared.

Other enhancements include graphic features that help an app stand out. Under personalisation, the new Android enhances per-app language preferences, which enables customisation of languages displayed in the "Settings per-app language list." For privacy, it packs the "accessibilityDataSensitive attribute" that the blog claims can help users with disabilities. It aims at keeping sensitive data under wraps.

App developers can test their apps for foldable devices and tablets via the Android Emulator. This will ensure big screens also yield the same benefits as the handsets.

Beta 1 is now live for Pixel users who can enrol in the official beta to try it out. Plus, you can install it manually. Pixel devices starting from Pixel 4a (5G) and above are eligible for the update. A device to enrol in the program should run on a non-Developer Preview.

Developers running the Android 13 QPR3 beta will get the beta update automatically. According to the posted timeline, the version will move towards stability in June. It can receive a final nod for release after July 2023.