Android 13 Developer Preview New Features [2022]

Here is a list of all the new features in the first release of Android 13 Developer Preview. With version 1 of developer preview builds now available, it is time to look at some of the highlight attractions that might make their way into the full and final version of Android 13 when it arrives for the public.

Android 13 Developer Preview 1 is finally here. That said, the release is for developer use only to test changes to the stock firmware, try new apps, and other functionalities. We suggest that average users avoid flashing the early preview version as it may hold bugs.

So, before we delve deep into the new features, let me clarify that they are still in the preliminary phase of development. Therefore, expect Google not to include a few of these in the final build.

For those interested, I will walk you through the new features in Android 13 Developer Preview 1.

Table of Contents

Android 13 Developer Preview Brings New Theme Icons and Better Privacy Features:

It is a fact that Android is the most used mobile operating system, with more than 2.5 billion smartphones rocking it across the globe. With the experience of such a massive user base, Google keeps rolling out new updates to ensure a stable OS and staying on top of privacy concerns with enhanced functionalities. And with the first developer preview of Android 13, the search engine giant kickstarts the next phase of the Android journey.

Unlike previous iterations, this year’s firmware places a heavy focus on improved data protection, handing over more control to the users, language options, Material You interface, and much more.

Android 13 Is About Empowering Users With More Control Over Personal Data Than It Is About The UI Design

Now, before you pick up a rooted or non-rooted Pixel phone, here is what you need to know about what to expect in Developer Preview 1 for testers. Google wants to make sure that all the apps and features work as intended before baking them into the version meant for the public release. Of course, the preview build will come with a lot of bugs. If you don’t mind grappling with a few errors here and there, go ahead and knock yourself out with the preview version.

Following the rollout, Google will receive feedback from developers to learn about their views related to potential issues and polish them.

Here is a list of notable features in Android 13 Developer Preview 1:

New Privacy Features: The operating system includes a new system photo selector that allows users to manually choose which images and videos they want to share with third-party apps. In addition, new Wi-Fi permission reduces location data usage.
Improved Language Controls: a new API in Android 13 now allows developers to automatically detect users’ preferred language to make the experience more personalized.
Theme Icons: Taking further the dynamic app icons introduced in the Material You design, Android 13 will extend this feature to third-party app developers who can modify their icons to blend them with the overall interface seamlessly.
Developer Tools: This developer preview refreshes Android’s Core Libraries to enable Java 11 support.

Moreover, the Android 13 developer preview has many other changes besides the ones mentioned above. With more developer previews slated to arrive in the coming months before the final release later this year, you can expect more features and changes gracing the firmware on top of the ones listed below.

Discover More:

Two Homescreen Layouts For Foldable Phones And Other Additions:

Starting Android 13, the Pixel launcher can detect two different home screen layouts on foldable phones. This feature is already available on Galaxy foldable devices, and this time Google takes a leaf out of Samsung’s book, which undoubtedly adds to the usability.

Please take note that Google does not have a foldable device in its roaster of smartphones yet, so this addition intimates the possible release of a foldable device from the company in the future.

A New Taskbar For Devices With Large Screen

Google is finally shifting attention toward giant screens, as evident with Android 12L and later versions. With Android 13, the taskbar will take the initiative further with six slots. A welcome change indeed.

PiP Mode Returns

Google took away the PiP mode in Android 12L beta 3. Thankfully, the Picture-in-Picture mode is back with Android 13 Developer Preview 1.

Guest Profile Can Access Apps From The Main Profile

Android, for years now, has encouraged a multiuser experience by granting multiple profiles to share a single device without allowing access to the data linked to each profile. With Android 13, Google now allows the guest profiles to use apps stored on the device connected to the main account.

Silent Mode Disables Haptics And Vibrations

In Android 13, when you put your device on silent mode, it disables the haptic feedback. Regarding widespread acceptance, we would say this change has the potential to annoy a few users who got used to system-level vibrations even with silent mode enabled in Android 12.

New Quick Settings

Android 13 brings three new quick settings to quickly access QR code scanners, one-handed mode, and color correction.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks. Android 13 Developer Preview 1 is now out. Google Pixel owners can go ahead to download it on their device, keeping in view the less than perfect firmware.