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When Will Android 16 Be Launched?
The preliminary Developer Preview marks the start line of the Android 16 rollout, in line with Google, with the second Developer Preview slated for December.
Google is ready to launch two secure Android 16 updates in 2025. First in Q2 2025 and a minor in This fall 2025. / © Google
The primary Beta launch is anticipated in January 2025, adopted by three extra Beta updates main as much as the secure launch, projected between Might and June 2025. Moreover, a minor replace—probably Android 16.1—is deliberate for the ultimate quarter of 2025.
This method is groundbreaking sufficient that Google has even ready a video to clarify the adjustments intimately. Should you’re curious and wish to dive deeper, make sure you test it out:
What’s Android 16’s Dessert Codename?
Like earlier variations of the working system, Android 16 has an inside codename primarily based on a dessert title. After Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream, Google did not hassle searching for desserts with the letters W, X, Y, or Z, and went straight to B for baklava. Yummy.
Hmmm, baklava! / © Enez Selvi/Shutterstock
Whereas the developer preview lists the system model as “Baklava”, count on to see Google utilizing solely “Android 16” because the OS branding as we get close to the secure launch, although.
Android 16’s codename is “Baklava”. © nextpit
Count on to see the “Android 16” branding changing the “Baklava” codename. © nextpit
What’s new in Android 16
Android 16 DP2 introduces a variety of thrilling options and enhancements aimed toward enhancing person expertise, privateness, and system performance. Whereas primarily geared towards builders, these updates additionally embrace important adjustments that customers can sit up for within the upcoming Android launch. Right here’s a more in-depth have a look at the important thing options unveiled on this preview.
Two-finger double faucet zoom
Within the Accessibility settings, the magnification (zoom) function lists quite a lot of shortcuts choices (all the time seen button, gestures, quantity buttons, and so forth). New to Android 16 is the choice to amplify the show with a double faucet with two fingers on the display screen.
New shortcut for the magnifier function. © nextpit
Improved assist for bodily keyboards
Uncovered by Android skilled Mishaal Rahman, Android 16 introduced a few adjustments to enhance assist for bodily keyboards. The primary is a reorganization of the Settings menu for its accessibility options, and inside it customers will discover the brand new Repeat Keys settings. The choice units a delay earlier than a pressed secret is registered once more and in addition its repeat charge. Each will probably be particularly welcomed by the pill warriors on the market.
Fingerprint unlock with screen-off
Unique to the Pixel 9 collection, this variation permits customers to unlock the telephone with a registered fingerprint with out having to wake the display screen. The caveat is that the change is just out there (at the very least for now) for the Pixel 9 collection telephones, most likely as a result of the usage of an ultrasonic sensor as a substitute of the older optical fingerprint reader within the Pixel 6 by 8 fashions.
7 new emojis
Android 16 contains assist for the brand new emoji ratified with the Unicode 16.0 launch, formally introduced in September, 2024. The official checklist of emoji reached 3,790 with this launch and has 164 candidates for the seventeenth model, anticipated in September 2025.
Google Maintain is now a system app
The note-taking app Google Maintain was once a stand-alone app that wanted to be put in by the Play Retailer like every other app. Beginning with Android 16, Google appears to be implementing the app to be put in by default, with no choice to uninstall Maintain except brute forcing it by root entry.
Wi-Fi QR code redesign
Not essentially the most groundbreaking change to the system, the QR-code display screen for sharing Wi-Fi credentials bought a redesign. Google ditched the plain QR-code for a stylized one, adopting the Materials You shade palette in your telephone.
A small change within the Wi-Fi QR-Code generator now helps Materials You shade palettes. © nextpit
Reorganized Settings
The Settings app is a standard weak level when it comes to usability—additionally on iOS and Home windows—with increasing wants and options popping up once in a while, it’s no shock common customers get confused and misplaced in it. Google lately began reordering and transferring issues round within the Settings app.
The Settings app was overhauled throughout the Android 15 updates, however ought to attain extra telephones beginning with Android 16. © nextpit
The change offers extra space to the search bar, on the similar time it highlights the primary Google account on the telephone. The change was really rolled out to Pixel telephones with Android 15, however will most likely attain different AOSP-based distributions (Asus, Motorola, Sony, and so forth) solely on Android 16.
Photograph Picker
Whereas this launch primarily targets builders, a number of noteworthy options and enhancements have been launched. Among the many highlights is the up to date picture picker function, which advantages from new APIs aimed toward enhancing app integration for importing pictures and movies. This replace enhances person privateness by eradicating extreme permissions whereas streamlining the app interface.
Well being Join and FHIR Help
One other main addition is assist for the FHIR (Quick Healthcare Interoperability Assets) format throughout the Well being Join app. This integration might enable customers to handle medical information alongside well being metrics sooner or later. An identical function, often called Well being Information, exists in Samsung Well being however is at the moment restricted to pick out healthcare suppliers.
Notification Cooldown
Different adjustments embrace the introduction of a Notifications Cooldown function, designed to scale back distractions by minimizing alerts and reducing notification quantity when a number of notifications are acquired in fast succession.
Notification cooldown guarantees to tame the notification overload. © nextpit
Notification Cooldown was examined throughout the Android 15 growth however did not attain the secure launch. © nextpit
Audio Sharing
The Audio Sharing function, initially noticed in Android 15, was additional refined. This performance depends on Bluetooth LE connectivity to allow audio sharing from a single supply system to a number of headphones, primarily permitting customers to broadcast audio.
Privateness and Safety Enhancements
Android 16 additionally introduces a number of privateness and safety enhancements. The most recent model of Privateness Sandbox improves knowledge encryption and dealing with of delicate data. As well as, a brand new Safety and Permissions Historical past possibility allows customers to evaluation app permissions and safety exercise over the previous seven days on the Privateness Dashboard, offering larger transparency and management.
The Privateness Dashboard will be capable of show knowledge from the previous 7 days, as a substitute of the present 24-hour restrict. © nextpit
New shortcut for the magnifier function. © nextpit
Reside Actions and Redesigned Fast Settings
Past these, it was found that Google is working to place dwell actions on the lock and residential screens and introduce a brand new redesigned fast settings structure.
Which Gadgets Help the Android 16 DP2 Replace?
The Android 16 DP2 is now out there for the Pixel 9 collection all the way in which to the Pixel 6 collection, in addition to the Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold. Nonetheless, Google famous that units operating Android 15 QPR (Quarterly Platform Launch) Beta 1 would require a full system wipe earlier than putting in the Android 16 firmware.
What are your ideas on Google’s choice to launch Android 16 sooner than typical? Do you assume the secure launch will point out a change within the Pixel {hardware}’s launch timing? Share your opinions within the feedback beneath!
Article up to date in December 2024 with new options launched with Android 16 DP2.
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