Android 16 Second Developer Preview Unveiled: Key Options Highlighted

When Will Android 16 Be Launched?

The preliminary Developer Preview marks the place to begin of the Android 16 rollout, based on Google, with the second Developer Preview slated for December.

The primary Beta launch is anticipated in January 2025, adopted by three extra Beta updates main as much as the steady launch, projected between Might and June 2025. Moreover, a minor replace—possible Android 16.1—is deliberate for the ultimate quarter of 2025.

This method is groundbreaking sufficient that Google has even ready a video to elucidate the adjustments intimately. In the event you’re curious and wish to dive deeper, you should definitely test it out:

What’s Android 16’s Dessert Codename?

Like earlier variations of the working system, Android 16 has an inner codename primarily based on a dessert identify. After Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream, Google did not hassle in search of desserts with the letters W, X, Y, or Z, and went straight to B for baklava. Yummy.

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 steady launch, although.

What’s new in Android 16

Android 16 DP2 introduces a variety of thrilling options and enhancements geared toward bettering consumer expertise, privateness, and gadget performance. Whereas primarily geared towards builders, these updates additionally embrace vital adjustments that customers can stay up for within the upcoming Android launch. Right here’s a better take a look at the important thing options unveiled on this preview.

Two-finger double faucet zoom

Within the Accessibility settings, the magnification (zoom) characteristic lists quite a lot of shortcuts choices (at all times seen button, gestures, quantity buttons, and so forth). New to Android 16 is the choice to enlarge the show with a double faucet with two fingers on the display screen.

Improved help for bodily keyboards

Uncovered by Android skilled Mishaal Rahman, Android 16 introduced a few adjustments to enhance help 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 fee. Each can 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 (a minimum of for now) for the Pixel 9 collection telephones, in all probability as a consequence of using 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 help 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 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 probably the most groundbreaking change to the system, the QR-code display screen for sharing Wi-Fi credentials acquired a redesign. Google ditched the plain QR-code for a stylized one, adopting the Materials You colour palette in your telephone.

Reorganized Settings

The Settings app is a conventional weak level when it comes to usability—additionally on iOS and Home windows—with increasing wants and options popping up sometimes, it’s no shock common customers get confused and misplaced in it. Google just lately began reordering and shifting issues round within the Settings app.

The change provides 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 in all probability 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 had been launched. Among the many highlights is the up to date picture picker characteristic, which advantages from new APIs geared toward bettering app integration for importing photographs and movies. This replace enhances consumer privateness by eradicating extreme permissions whereas streamlining the app interface.

Well being Join and FHIR Help

One other main addition is help for the FHIR (Quick Healthcare Interoperability Assets) format throughout the Well being Join app. This integration may enable customers to handle medical data alongside well being metrics sooner or later. The same characteristic, generally known as Well being Data, exists in Samsung Well being however is presently restricted to pick out healthcare suppliers.

Notification Cooldown

Different adjustments embrace the introduction of a Notifications Cooldown characteristic, designed to scale back distractions by minimizing alerts and reducing notification quantity when a number of notifications are acquired in fast succession.

Audio Sharing

The Audio Sharing characteristic, initially noticed in Android 15, was additional refined. This performance depends on Bluetooth LE connectivity to allow audio sharing from a single supply gadget to a number of headphones, basically 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 information encryption and dealing with of delicate data. As well as, a brand new Safety and Permissions Historical past possibility allows customers to assessment app permissions and safety exercise over the previous seven days on the Privateness Dashboard, offering larger transparency and management.

Dwell Actions and Redesigned Fast Settings

Past these, it was found that Google is working to place reside actions on the lock and residential screens and introduce a brand new redesigned fast settings format.

Which Units Help the Android 16 DP2 Replace?