Google unveiled the first Developer Preview of Android 14 last month, and today the company is back with the second. The latest update further improves privacy, security, and performance while also enhancing tablet and foldable device usability
Following this Developer Preview, the first Beta version will arrive in April, followed by three more in succeeding months, according to Google’s official timeline.
The Android 14 Development Preview 2 operating system includes built-in functionality for granting apps access to only select photographs and videos, to all of them, or to none at all. Shown below is the updated dialog. This is helpful especially for people who does not want apps accessing their whole gallery just to do a simple task.
Apps can sign-in using passkeys thanks to the API Credential Management in Android 14. Another welcome change, allowing apps to sign-in using passkeys will prevent any unnecessary annoyances of needing to sign-in with the same account every time. The account selector’s UI appearance has been improved in the second DP, and the API has also been changed in response to comments from DP1.
Ever wondered when will we able to the background processes of applications like the task manager of Windows? Well, Android 14 will have an answer to that. Applications will now need to obtain permissions in order to start background operations.
DP2 comes with optimizations to Android’s memory management system, improving resource usage while apps are running in the background. There will also be fewer non-dismissible notifications and there are improved APIs for app stores too. Smartphone lag is due to poor resource usage by the operating system, this will significantly improve a smartphone’s performance.
With Regional preferences, you’ll be able to personalize temperature units, first day of the week and numbers preferences. For example, for Europeans living in the United States, they will now not be stuck with Fahrenheit as their temperature unit anymore.
Consumers will have easier access after the first beta version launches next month. Android 14 Development Preview 2 can be installed to the Pixel 4a 5G and later.
