Loyalty card suggestions based on location
Google Pay used to show you relevant loyalty cards based on your location, making it easy to pull up the right card at the right place. This was taken away with the Google Wallet rebranding, but it looks like Android 14 might offer an app-agnostic solution. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. that suggest Android 14 will show relevant loyalty cards from any payment app you've set as the default on your phone — even if that isn't Google Wallet.Redesigned back arrow for gesture navigation
If you start your Android 14 journey with Beta 1, you'll notice that the back arrow now sits in a Material You-colored bubble. Some apps like Google News and settings also support predictive back animations, revealing which screen you'll get to next as you drag your finger across the screen. Both of these options were already live in Developer Preview 2, but they may be new to you when you upgrade just now. Google notes that it's improving both of these aspects, so bear with us while we dig into this release and find out what exactly has changed.System share sheet with app actions
We already spotted You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. with app actions in Android 14 Developer Preview 2, but now the company is making this official. In Android 14, apps can add custom actions to the system share menu. This allows an application like Chrome to include custom sharing options like Send to your devices, QR code, or Copy link, omitting the need for a custom share sheet altogether.2 Images
Simpler per-app language setup for developers
Google used the Beta 1 launch to showcase a new Android Studio capability. Developers who use Google's development environment can now enjoy automatically generated language files required to make per-app languages work. Given how few apps support Android 13's per-app languages so far, this is a welcome improvement.More security options to protect you from malware that abuses accessibility services
In Android 14, app developers can You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. to disability-focused accessibility services. This effectively blocks malware that uses accessibility services from snooping on private data in your password manager or your banking app. Only true accessibility apps screened by Play Protect and the Play Store can then access sensitive information protected by the new measure.Forced transparent navigation bar
Hidden under developer options, Google has added a toggle that allows anyone to You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. in any app. This solves one of our longest standing issues with navigation on Android: inconsistencies between apps that haven't had specific color tuning from developers. There's always the chance this disappears before a final build, but it being hidden from most users seems like a positive sign that it could be here to stay.Image permission changes
One of the biggest security features coming to Android 14 saw a couple of tweaks in Beta 1. Those image permission controls we spotted in DP2 are ever-so-slightly tweaked. The option to "Select Photos" is now "Select Photos and Videos" — which, frankly, does do a good job of alleviating some of the iOS comparisons — and places it on top... just like iOS. Ah well.New PIN animations
Although it's disabled right now, Android 14 Beta 1 includes some You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. when typing your PIN. Rather than the numbers simply appearing, a new shape appears with each number, as spotted by Mishaal Rahman.Tons of bugs
Unlike the fist Android 13 beta last year, Android 14 Beta 1 is riddled with bugs and broken bits and pieces. For example, if you had themed icons enabled before you updated, the wallpaper app will always crash when you try to open it. There are a few more issues in the release, and we've got a guide on You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. without downgrading to Android 13.What's new in Android 14 Developer Preview 2
With the release of Android 14's second developer preview, we're getting a more realized look into what's coming in this year's OS upgrade. This includes the arrival of some of the hidden features first spotted in DP1, which Google is now highlighting as official features in the DP2 announcement.Regional per-app preferences
For example, the regional preferences page is here in DP2. You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., but with this month's launch, we can see them in action. These settings are found right below the per-app language options in Android 14, and they will make it possible for you to set your units and number preferences. You can use it to switch individual apps between Celsius and Fahrenheit, use different calendars like Chinese, Dangi, or Hebrew, select which day of the week you consider the first, and which number system to use.2 Images
The original leaked screenshots for regional preferences from DP1
Revamped permission controls
We're also seeing the You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. first alluded to in DP1. These settings are similar to how iOS works currently, forcing all apps not using Google's permissionless API to ask for your level of control options for media.2 Images
Preparations for a passwordless future, better battery life, non-dismissable notification improvements
Google's announcement for DP2 also focuses on improving the You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., which should help lead us to the passwordless future we all dream of. Meanwhile, DP2 continues to focus on improving system performance, forcing cached apps to stop running much faster than Android 13 could, which should provide better battery life and resource management. Non-dismissable notifications will also cause far less annoyances in the future, as you can now swipe anything flagged as an ongoing event away outside of critical tasks when your phone is unlocked.This just covers what Google has formally announced, but there's more beyond this.
Predictive back gestures are live for some apps
Google You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., like Google News and the system settings. When you enable predictive back gestures in the developer options, you can see previews of which screen you'll navigate to next. This works with views within the same app, across different apps, and from apps to the home screen.2 Images
Lava lamp media player
Google also added small tweaks to the media player. Telegram channel Google News spotted a lava lamp-style animation that billows on top of the media player has returned after first making its entrance in Android 13 QPR2 Beta 1, and the play/pause button now comes with a splash animation.Super low battery warning
If you're someone who likes to run down their phone until the very last drop of energy has left the battery, this change might be for you. On Android 14, Pixel phones will You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., giving you one last chance to scramble for your charger and top it up before the battery is fully depleted.Source: Nick
Faster and more secure PIN entry
On the security front, Mishaal Rahman spotted You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., as he shared on XDA. When you pick a PIN that has six digits or more, you might no longer have to hit enter to confirm your identity anymore. Instead, the phone will automatically recognize that you've just typed in the correct numbers and will unlock your phone when you hit the last digit. This is a feature popularized by the iPhone, but it's also available on many Android phones and in custom ROMs.In that same vein, Google You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., a change that's live in Android 14 Beta 1. In settings, you can turn off animations for the PIN entry screen, making it harder for others to peek which numbers you're entering on your lock screen.
Emoji Kitchen wallpapers
If you're a sucker for customization and You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., you might be in for a treat with Android 14 on your Pixel phone. As spotted by Mishaal Rahman, you might soon be able to You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. It's certainly a great way to give you access to a sheer infinite amount of personal wallpapers. The feature is currently called Emoji Lab.4 Images
Improved high-contrast text when using Material You themes
Some people rely on Android's high-contrast text to be able to read better. Right now, this system clashes with dynamic theming as introduced by Android 12. As discovered by Mishaal Rahman, You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. when creating a color palette, opting for even more contrast-rich options when the option is enabled.Unfortunately, this toggle disappeared in Android 14 Beta 1, and it's unclear if it'll make another appearance in a future version.
Flash for notifications
A new accessibility option allows you to You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now.. It could be a handy way to bring back notification lights on devices without them, although you can't customize the camera's flash settings at this time. In any case, the feature is meant for those with hearing impairments first and foremost.Separated ringtone and notification volumes and less goofy volume slider on bigger phones
For ages, Pixel phones have only allowed to set one volume level across your notifications and ringtones. Android 14 might change that and make Pixel phones behave more like Samsung devices. Many people running the Android 14 Developer Preview 2 are seeing You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now., which would finally make it easier to prioritize phone calls. Even better news — this change is still there in Beta 1, suggesting it should stick around to stable.2 Images
Further code changes suggest that Google is looking into a You do not have permission to view the full content of this post. Log in or register now. to make it taller or shorter depending on the screen size. It's possible that this has been added in anticipation of more complicated devices like foldables, which offer different screen sizes depending on how you hold it and which screen you use (Pixel Fold anyone?).
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