Android 14 Beta 1 - Every New Feature Explained!

 Android 14 Beta 1 - Every New Feature Explained...

Android 14 beta 1 just got released, and here's everything we know about this update. The first big change is the addition of a new toggle within the developer options that can force the navigation bar to have a transparent background color, regardless of the app or screen you're in. This is particularly useful for older apps that have an opaque background, as it allows you to see what's behind the navigation bar without extra scrolling.

However, the feature doesn't seem to work perfectly in this release. Some apps still have the navbar color following the app's theme, making it a bit more camouflaged but not completely transparent. Alongside this update, there are new Android 14-inspired wallpapers and material UI widgets available.

Rumors suggest that Android 14 could make the lock screen more customizable, potentially allowing users to change the look of the clock and technology info. Though these options aren't live yet, beta 1 introduces some minor lock screen additions. You may be able to disable weather information on the lock screen with a toggle, and there are new animations for dialing in PIN numbers.

Another exciting feature is the ability to set different live wallpapers for the lock screen and home screen, but currently, enabling it requires manual tweaking in the code. Additionally, when taking a screenshot and hitting the edit button, the pen icons now show the colors, saving users from repeatedly opening the menu to check.

The nearby share button within the share sheet is back, and there are some speculations about Google updating the share menu. In the developer options, there's a new Bluetooth LE audio toggle that should allow you to choose which remote devices can connect via LE audio profiles.

Under the hood, Android 14 beta 1 introduces new configuration files for external touchpads, making it easier to use devices like the Apple Magic trackpad and Logitech wireless touchpad on Android. There's also an essential security enhancement that restricts what kinds of accessibility services and apps can interact with, preventing malware from stealing two-factor authentication codes.

For Pixel 7 and 7 Pro users, updating to Android 14 brings an upgraded modem that supports release 16, improving phone calls and cellular network connectivity.

Overall, Android 14 beta 1 doesn't seem to be as exciting as expected, and some users might find it underwhelming, especially since it's only the beginning of the beta releases. There's still hope for more exciting features in the forthcoming beta updates until August.

If you're eager to try out Android 14 beta 1, keep in mind that there are several known issues and bugs, so it's not recommended for everyone at this stage. Nevertheless, if you have a Google Pixel device and a computer, you can follow a step-by-step tutorial to update it, which is available in a video linked in the description. You can also find more information and insights about Android 14 from various sources, including a Twitter thread from Michelle, who explores the update in-depth.

Sponsored by YouTube, this informative video gives you a comprehensive overview of the newest features in Android 14 and details the possible upcoming features based on rumors and leaks from the Android community. For now, it might be wise to wait for more stable beta updates before diving into Android 14.