The first beta of Google’s Android 14 OS is now available to download which debuts new features focused on system navigation, privacy, performance, and user customization.
In short
The first developer preview offered customization options and promised better battery life, and the second introduced improvements to device system health and gave users more control over their data.
Now the first beta offers improvements on stability and introduces some new things as well, which the public can now test.
Do note that the latest rendition of the OS can be accessed only on a Pixel device.
What’s different with the beta?
Unlike developer preview releases, betas tend to be more stable and are more likely to be daily driver worthy.
It is also more likely to be stable and usable versus the previous developer preview releases.
The beta does not guarantee perfection as the user might run into a few problems.
Gesture navigation
Gesture navigation gets an upgrade which includes a more visible Material You-themed back arrow that blends in with whatever wallpaper or theme you have installed on the device.
This is not just aesthetically pleasing but is also designed to help users better understand Android 14’s predictive back gesture experience, which now previews the screen one has to navigate to within apps.
Improved share sheet
Share sheet refers to the page that opens when you tap to share content.
With the latest update apps can now add custom actions to system share sheets, which should also make share sheets more intuitive in the future.
Google describes this as a “superior” experience compared to the existing one in which the app you’re sharing content to) are always sorted alphabetically.
Privacy
Privacy is also being improved by allowing apps to restrict the visibility of sensitive data to accessibility services that claim to help users with disabilities.
These claims will be verified by Google Play Protect.
These protections can help prevent more vulnerable users from cases where they accidentally transfer money or check out in a shopping app.
Notable links
The following links contain thorough explanations of the beta along with guides as to how to download it.
Developer site for Android 14 Beta
It has lots more information about the beta, including downloads for Pixel and the release timeline
For developers with the following devices
- Pixel 4a (5G)
- Pixel 5 and 5a
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
You can manually update the device to the latest build.
