It wouldn’t be February without a look at Google’s upcoming mobile operating system. Indeed, the firm has issued the first Android 14 developer preview (DP1) to assist app developers in targeting the next platform. The primary goals this time around are accessibility, battery life, and security. Fonts may be scaled to significantly bigger sizes (200 percent against 130 percent previously), and intelligent scaling makes text more legible. It is simpler to specify preferred languages for apps, and developers may be more flexible to those who speak gendered languages such as French.
Android 14 DP1 also features some under-the-hood tweaks to help you get the most out of your battery and screen. Alarms, foreground activities, and internal broadcasts all have stricter controls, which can minimise battery use. Apps for foldable phones and tablets should also be easier to create, so you may see software that takes greater use of your hardware’s visual real estate.
Indeed, Android 14 can prevent users from sideloading really ancient applications. Because some malware is developed for older versions to evade a permissions system introduced in 2015, Google will mandate that apps target at least Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). This will not prohibit you from using programmes that are already installed when you upgrade the System, and you may force installs using command line instructions. If you have an old app that you don’t want to give up, you may have to explore for alternatives.
This initial preview is accessible on the Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, and newer Google phones, as well as the desktop Android emulator. The first Android 14 beta is expected in April, with Google anticipating “platform stability” (read: release candidates) in June. As is customary, developer previews do not represent the entirety of what the new platform will provide. We anticipate that Google will make more visible adjustments during its I/O conference in the spring.
