Update (2023-04-13):
First beta version is here
Now the general public is getting a first chance to try Google’s upcoming Android 14. After previously rolling out a couple of versions exclusively for developers, the company said yesterday that a public beta version is available.
The news mainly concerns functions we have already written about further down in the article. A new back button that changes appearance according to Google’s Material You design philosophy is introduced, as well as a new content sharing view and usual focus on strengthening user privacy.
You who have a Pixelmobile and are willing to take some risks regarding stability and functionality can read more about beta versions at Google’s dedicated beta site.
Update (2023-03-09):
Second developer preview out now
Google has released the second preview of Android 14 for developers. The superficial news are few, but the update has several news that could be of great importance once the system is released.
New Android versions are tested in three phases: First as advance versions for developers (developer preview), then beta (including open beta versions for the public) and finally “platform stability”, Google’s term for the second usually called release candidate. So far, Android 14 is thus in the first of these phases, where the focus is on changes under the hood.
According to Google, system health and battery life have been optimized compared to the first preview, and an updated memory manager should ensure that apps don’t use too much memory in the background.
Among the news that is already included and can be tested are expanded privacy controls and a new system for logging in via various technologies such as digital keys (passkeys), single sign-on (sso) and federated systems such as “login with Google”.
Developers who want to test the system and start customizing their apps can download one system picture and install the preview on a Pixel phone (Pixel 4A and later supported). It’s also fine to just install new updated developer tools and create a virtual drive with the Android emulator.
Updated (2023-02-09):
First developer version
It’s been a long time since we heard anything about Android 14 – Google’s upcoming operating system for mobiles and tablets. Now, however, spring is almost here, and in May we expect to get a first proper look at the new Android version during Google I/O.
Officially: Bard is Google’s challenger to Chat GPT
Now Google has too released a first version of the upcoming operating system to developers. It is therefore a so-called “Developer Preview” and we don’t really know anything about what exciting news it contains yet. Early rumors claim that there may be significant improvements for foldable devices, and we’d also dare to bet at least a hundred rings that Android 14 will be a very AI-heavy update.
More on Android 14 is sure to crystallize in the coming months.
Previously (2022-04-25):
Upside Down Cake
After Android 10, Google officially stopped using names of sweets for new versions of the mobile system, but internally, developers still gave each new version a cute nickname. Android 11 was called Red Velvet Cake, Android 12 was called Snow Cone, and Android 13 was called Tiramisu.
Now reporting Android Central that an early test build of the next-to-next version of the system, Android 14, has been nicknamed the Upside Down Cake.
Uppochnerkaka, as it is called in some Swedish recipes, is a pastry where fruit of some kind is placed in the bottom of a cake tin and a batter, usually sugar cake, is poured on top. After being baked, the cake is turned upside down and served with the fruit on top. As usual, the name comes from Google wanting something that starts with the next letter in the alphabet, and after tiramisu it needed a u-name.
