To assist app developers in preparing for this year’s significant mobile OS update, Google has launched the second developer preview of Android 14.
In this article, we’ll delve into the latest developer preview of Android 14 and explore the new security and privacy features that it offers.
Key Takeaways:
The Android 14 preview has an outstanding feature called Credential Manager, which is a platform API that enables multiple sign-in methods like passkeys and federated sign-in solutions, in addition to traditional username and password combinations.
Although this API was already present in the first Android 14 preview, Google has made some user interface improvements based on initial feedback.
Apps like the password manager app Dashlane have already hinted at incorporating passkey integration after the release of Android 14 later this year.
The Credential Manager API is a noteworthy advancement in user authentication and security.
The Android 14 preview has made significant privacy improvements that give users more control over how their information is shared.
Google has updated the photo picker to allow Android 14 users to select which images and videos on their device apps can access instead of giving access to their entire media library.
This update brings Android closer in line with iOS 14, which already lets users grant apps access to only specific photos and videos.
Moreover, Android 14 is introducing the Credential Manager platform API that enables developers to store and retrieve user credentials using customized credential providers.
This API will support not only passwords but also passkeys, which are widely used for secure and passwordless sign-in in the industry.
The latest preview of Android 14 aims to optimize the system’s memory management to make better use of resources when apps run in the background.
This preview also introduces restrictions on background work outside of traditional Android app lifecycle APIs like foreground services, JobScheduler, or WorkManager.
Google is focusing on making Android 14 the ideal operating system for foldable devices, building upon the groundwork laid in Android 12L and 13.
Additionally, there’s a new large screen gallery that provides design ideas for social and communication, media, productivity, shopping, and reading apps.
The second Android 14 preview also includes improvements to system health and battery life.
Optimizations to Android’s memory management system will limit apps from using unnecessary resources while running in the background.
These enhancements will help Android users prolong the battery life of their devices.
The goal of Android 14 is to make updates less tedious for developers. There are new app compatibility features, and changes to apps are now opt-in.
Google anticipates Android 14 will reach platform stability by June 2023, which gives developers a few weeks to perform final testing before the official release.
You can now download the Android 14 Developer Preview 2, which includes improvements to the device experience for large screens like tablets and foldable devices.
Google has also optimized the way apps work together, improved system health and battery life, and polished the end-user experience.
Developers can test their apps with Preview 2 using the Android Studio SDK Manager to prepare for the next Android update.
Supported Pixel devices, including the Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, or Pixel 4a (5G), can also flash a system image to try out the new features.
Overall, the Android 14 Developer Preview 2 is a promising update that brings significant improvements and new features to the Android operating system.
We are excited to see how these features and updates will shape the future of mobile technology and enhance the user experience on Android devices.
