Google has unveiled the second beta version of the Android 13 open mobile platform. Android 13 is expected to be released in the third quarter of 2022. To evaluate the new features of the platform, a preliminary testing program has been proposed. Firmware builds are prepared for Pixel 6/6 Pro, Pixel 5/5a 5G, Pixel 4 / 4 XL / 4a / 4a (5G) devices. Android 13 test builds are also available for selected ASUS, HMD (Nokia phones), Lenovo, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Tecno, Vivo, Xiaomi, and ZTE devices. An OTA update has been provided for those who installed past test releases.
Among the user-visible improvements in Android 13 (compared to the first beta version, there are mainly bug fixes):
- Added the ability to selectively grant permissions to access media files. Where previously you had to grant access to all files in your local storage to read media files, now you can restrict access to only images, sound files, or videos.
- A new interface for selecting photos and videos has been implemented, allowing the application to access only selected images and videos and block access to other files. Previously, a similar interface was implemented for documents. It is possible to work both with local files and with data hosted in cloud storages.
- Added a request for permissions to display notifications by applications. Without prior permission to display notifications, the app will block notifications from being sent. For pre-built apps designed for use with older versions of Android, permissions will be granted by the system on behalf of the user.
- Reduced the number of applications that require access to user location information. For example, applications that perform wireless network scanning operations no longer require location-related permissions.
- Expanded features aimed at improving privacy and informing the user about possible risks. In addition to warnings about application access to the clipboard, the new branch provides automatic deletion of the history of placing data on the clipboard after a certain period of inactivity.
- A new unified security and privacy settings page has been added, which provides a visual color indication of the security status and offers recommendations for strengthening protection.
- A set of pre-prepared options for the color design of the interface is proposed, allowing you to slightly adjust the colors within the selected color scheme. Color options affect the appearance of all operating system components, including background wallpapers.
- Provides the ability to adapt the background of the icons of any application to the color scheme of the theme or the color of the background image. In the interface for managing music playback, the use of images of the covers of the albums being played is provided as a background.
- Added the ability to bind individual language settings to applications that differ from the language settings selected in the system.
- Significantly improved experience on devices with large screens such as tablets, Chromebooks, and smartphones with foldable screens. For large screens, the layout of the notification dropdown, home screen, and system lock screen has been optimized to use all available screen space. In the block that appears with a sliding gesture from top to bottom, on large screens, the division into different columns of quick settings and the list of notifications is provided. Added support for a two-pane mode in the configurator, in which settings sections are now constantly visible on large screens.
Improved compatibility modes for applications. The implementation of the taskbar is proposed, showing the icons of running applications at the bottom of the screen, allowing you to quickly switch between programs and supporting the transfer of applications via the drag & drop interface to different areas of the multi-window mode (split-screen), dividing the screen into parts for working with several applications simultaneously.
- The convenience of drawing and entering text using an electronic pen has been improved. Added protection against the appearance of false strokes when touching the touch screen with your hands while drawing with a stylus.
Source: opennet.ru