Android 13 is now available as a public beta for anyone with a compatible Pixel handset, Google has announced.
A final version is not expected till August, at the earliest, but anyone can access this latest beta with either a Pixel 4, 4a, 5, 5A, 6, or 6 Pro handset.
The release comes just two weeks ahead of Google I/O, the tech giant's annual developer conference, where a more in-depth look at Android 13 is expected. So far Google has only offered brief insights via two developer previews, which showcased new privacy and security features. The design appears largely similar to Android 12, though there is a further expansion of the customisable 'Material You' interface.
There's also support for Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, a 'photo picker' that allows users to restrict which photos an app is able to access, and new app icon theme options.
Google is focusing on privacy and security with Android 13 and will include more 'granular' permissions for media file access. The aim is to offer more transparency and control to the end-user by forcing apps to request access to specific types of files in shared storage.
There is also improved error reporting in Keystore and KeyMint, which are apps that generate encryption keys. In Android 13, these apps will offer more detailed and accurate error indicators with a new 'exception' class hierarchy. Methods for key generation, signing, and encryption will also be customisable, the tech giant said.
RELATED RESOURCE
Enabling the future of work with embedded real-time communication
A new dimension of human interaction is coming to digital work
In terms of audio updates, there is a new 'Anticipatory audio routing' feature that will help apps better manage audio streams. This includes new audio route APIs in an AudioManager class. It will offer up a list of devices that may be used to play specified audio while other APIs can be used to understand whether an audio stream can be played directly. The aim is to determine the best audio format to use for an audio track.
To get access to Android 13, users need to enrol their compatible Pixel device and set up an SDK which can be downloaded from the Android 13 developer site.
-
Bigger salaries, more burnout: Is the CISO role in crisis?In-depth CISOs are more stressed than ever before – but why is this and what can be done?
-
Cheap cyber crime kits can be bought on the dark web for less than $25News Research from NordVPN shows phishing kits are now widely available on the dark web and via messaging apps like Telegram, and are often selling for less than $25.
-
Tiny11 review: Windows 11 with only 2GB of RAMReview A version of Windows 11 for older machines that don't meet the full requirements
-
Red Hat Enterprise Linux becomes foundational operating system for Cohesity Data CloudNews New strategic partnership between Red Hat and Cohesity aims to drive innovation in the data security and management space
-
Ubuntu shifts to four-week update cycleNews Critical fixes will also come every two weeks, mitigating the issues involved with releasing prompt patches on the old three-week cadence
-
AlmaLinux follows Oracle in ditching RHEL compatibilityNews Application binary compatibility is now the aim with 1:1 now dropped
-
How big is the Windows 10 cliff-edge?ITPro Network With some comparing the upcoming Windows 10 end of life to Windows XP, we ask members of the ITPro Network for their insight
-
Everything you need to know about the latest Windows 11 updates - from bug fixes to brand-new featuresNews Two new cumulative updates are on the way and will be installed automatically on Windows 10 and Windows 11 machines
-
How to download a Windows 11 ISO file and perform a clean installTutorial Use a Windows 11 ISO to install the operating system afresh
-
We could all benefit from better Windows and macOS accessibility featuresOpinion Today’s accessibility features can help you work through a nasty injury, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement
