new features and updates

Google has announced the launch of the first beta version of Android 16 for Pixel. This version is already available for download and is the first update in this cycle to be available through the Android Beta program.

Here’s what we know

Android 16 introduces a number of new features, including Live Updates. These notifications allow users to track important events, such as taxi rides, food delivery or navigation, giving them the ability to quickly get up-to-date information.

Here are the new features

• A new ProgressStyle notification model has been introduced and provides a user-friendly experience for functions such as trips, deliveries and navigation. This template allows you to use custom icons to track progress at different stages of an activity, such as start, finish, or current status.
• Additionally, Google has decided to change its approach to screen orientation and app sizes on large screens. Now, apps that target API level 36 and have screens wider than 600 dpi will automatically scale for comfortable use in portrait and landscape orientation.
• Android 16 supports the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, which improves video quality and editing. It offers high processing speeds and maintains video quality without perceptual loss, supporting 2K, 4K and 8K formats.
• One of the innovations is support for BLE channel probing, which helps determine the distance between devices using Bluetooth. Support for video with multiple channels and additional data such as depth and preview has also been improved.
• The new version of Android also includes support for HDR10/10+ content, as well as new features for working with text, including vertical writing for users.
• Google continues to develop the “predictive back” feature, which displays an animation predicting the next step when you press the “back” button. This feature makes it easier to navigate between screens and applications.
• There are new features, including EXTENSION_NIGHT_MODE_INDICATOR, which allows apps to automatically switch to night mode and support for new Gemini extensions.

The Android 16 Beta 1 update for Pixel is available via OTA for the following models.

• Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Pixel 9 Pro
• Pixel 9
• Pixel 8a
• Pixel 8 Pro
• Pixel 8
• Pixel Fold
• Tablette Pixel
• Pixel 7a
• Pixel 7 Pro
• Pixel 7
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 6 Pro
• Pixel 6

For those who are already part of the Android Beta program, the update will be available automatically. All users who do not want to participate in the Android 16 beta test can continue to use the stable version of Android 15.

Users can also provide feedback through the Android Beta Feedback app, available on Pixel.

Source : Android