The next update to Android 13 is here with Developer Preview 2 (DP2) rolling out for Pixel phones today. This should be the last release before beta-quality builds commence next month.
Android 13 DP2 is officially an “incremental update with additional features, APIs, and behavior changes.” Developers are encouraged to “send feedback on behavior changes and APIs,” while getting apps ready for the upcoming beta.
On the privacy and security tentpole, Google is highlighting how apps targeting Android 13 will have to request a new notification permission from the user before sending alerts. Similarly, a new API lets apps downgrade previously granted runtime permissions.
For apps targeting Android 12 or lower, the system will handle the upgrade flow on your behalf, but users will still see a system dialog.
Android 13 uses a line height that’s adapted for non-Latin scripts, including Tamil, Burmese, Telugu, and Tibetan, to “prevent clipping and improve the positioning of characters.” Google encourages developer testing here as “changes may affect your UI in non-Latin languages.” Meanwhile, text can now be wrapped by “Bunsetsu (the smallest unit of words that sounds natural) or phrases — instead of by character — for more polished and readable Japanese applications.” In the example below, it’s disabled at the top and enabled underneath.
- Android 13 DP2: Google updates Quick Settings with settings and power buttons on the bottom
- Music notification panel gets new design w/ album art, revamped controls
- Here’s the new built-in QR code reader in action [Video]
- Per-app language settings are now available [Gallery]
- ‘Do Not Disturb’ rebranded to ‘Priority mode’
- Taskbar for tablets & big screens gets its own app drawer
- Google adds Quick Settings toggle for Security & privacy, renames Home
- Assistant voice typing arrives for more Pixels
- You can now create a custom profile photo [Gallery]
- Google unites text and display size sliders on one page
- Android 13 will warn you about apps with ‘excessive background battery usage’
- New Material You dynamic color theme styles and how to use them
On the sound front, Android 13 adds built-in support for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Audio, as well as the MIDI 2.0 standard. It makes possible “increased resolution for controllers, better support for non-Western intonation, and more expressive performance using per-note controllers.”
It will allow users to share and broadcast their audio to friends and family, or subscribe to public broadcasts for information, entertainment, or accessibility. It’s designed to ensure that users can receive high fidelity audio without sacrificing battery life and be able to seamlessly switch between different use cases that were not possible with Bluetooth Classic.
As always, there’s the Android Beta Feedback app on Pixel devices. You can access it from the drawer or via Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker; the Android Beta community remains on Reddit.
Android 13 Developer Preview 2 system images are available for the Pixel 4 (XL), Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, and Pixel 6 Pro, as well as in the Android Emulator.
DP2 (TPP2.220218.010) with the March security patch is officially “for developers only and not intended for daily or consumer use.” It’s available via manual download and flashing today, with the public-facing Android Beta coming next month. If you need help, here’s our full guide on installing Android 13.
- Pixel 6 Pro: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 6: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 5a: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 5: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 4a (5G): Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 4a: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 4 XL: Factory Image — OTA
- Pixel 4: Factory Image — OTA
Author: Abner Li
Source: 9TO5Google
