Google has released the first Beta version of Android 14, building upon core themes of privacy, security, performance, developer productivity, and user customization. With significant advancements for large-screen device experiences on tablets and foldables, the Android 14 Beta is now open to both developers and early adopters.
Android 14 aims to optimize the user experience across various form factors, such as tablets and foldables, while providing design inspiration and development guides. The Beta 1 release highlights new refinements to the system UI, including a more prominent back arrow for gesture navigation and a superior system sharesheet that allows apps to add custom actions.
Graphics capabilities in Android 14 have also been expanded, with the new Path API offering powerful and flexible options for creating and rendering vector graphics. Moreover, Android 14 enhances per-app language preferences and introduces the accessibilityDataSensitive attribute to limit visibility to disability-focused accessibility services.
App developers are encouraged to test their apps for compatibility with Android 14, ensuring a smooth transition once the operating system becomes widely available. As the Beta phase progresses, users can expect more Android 14 updates and feature drop Beta releases over-the-air for enrolled Pixel devices. Android Studio Giraffe is recommended for the best development experience with Android 14.
