Google is currently working on the next version of the Android operating system. Beta testers can already try the update to Android 14.
At the I/O developer conference in May, Google officially presented its new smartphone operating system. The fourth beta of Android 14 is now available for registered testers to download and comes with a range of new functions. TECHBOOK reveals the best innovations in the next version of the OS.
Improved battery life
With Android 14, Google is focusing less on new functions and more on optimizing the operating system. So the company has invested a lot of time to reduce the battery consumption of Android. By adapting the management of background processes, Internet activity such as downloads and uploads and the Android’s internal communication system, the operating system should use less energy. Along with the return of the overview of consumption since the last charge, users can better control how long the Android smartphone lasts on one charge.
Restrict access to specific photos and videos
So far, Android only offers the option of giving apps access to all the photos and videos stored on the smartphone. Competitor iOS, on the other hand, has been giving users the choice of restricting access to a selection for years. Google is now providing this important function with Android 14.
app cloning
Cloning apps allows two instances of the same app to be used in parallel. This is useful, for example, if you have a private and a work account for social media. Switching between the profiles is then no longer necessary. Some Android manufacturers have already integrated this function into their customized Android interfaces.
Now, however, app cloning is set to become part of Android itself. Currently, the function can only be activated via the developer options in the Android 14 beta. It is unclear if it will make it into the final version of the operating system.
Support for newer, secure apps only
Android version 13 and older allows the installation of ancient apps, provided they are compatible with the respective smartphone. But many older apps don’t have the same security safeguards as modern apps. Because of this, Android 14 no longer allows installing apps written for Android 5.1 or earlier. This means that applications that are up to seven years old are still compatible. In reality, these changes therefore only affect a few users, but protect against malware in an emergency.
satellite communications
One of the biggest innovations of the iPhone 14 series is the emergency call function via satellite connection. Google plans to enable communication with satellites for Android users as well. It’s unclear exactly what that will look like in Android 14, but Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president for Android, confirmed the new feature in a tweet back in 2022.
TECHBOOK means
“In view of the many new functions that I can already test in the beta version of iOS 17, the innovations in Android 14 seem a bit meager at first. However, Google has changed its update strategy significantly in recent years. Because many smartphones receive new Android updates late or not at all, many users would not have access to the new functions. That’s why Google has started to publish so-called “Feature Drops”. These are function updates that appear at regular intervals, but are largely independent of the Android version installed. This means that owners of an older device also get the new features – even though they cannot install the latest Android version.” – Adrian Mühlroth, editor
Launch of Android 14 is imminent
As announced earlier this year, Android 14 reached what is known as “platform stability” in June. This means the system is mature enough to launch. From this point on, developers still have several weeks to adapt their apps for the final launch.
Google has not given an exact start date, but the timetable envisages the final version after July. It is therefore possible that Android 14 will appear as early as August 2023.