Reinforcing their position at the helm of tech innovation, Google announced the release of Android 14 Beta 4 this Tuesday. This latest pre-release version primarily focuses on rectifying bugs, while also debuting an innovative auto-confirm unlock feature.
Setting a precedent in user-friendliness, the auto-confirm unlock feature, embedded in the settings of Beta 4, facilitates the effortless unlocking of your phone. To unlock the device, users need to type in the accurate six-digit (or above) PIN, with no need to press enter afterwards for confirmation – a step requisite in previous versions. However, Google duly points out that this convenience comes with a minor trade-off in security, labeling it a 'slightly less secure' unlocking method.
The introduction of distinct Ring volume and Notification volume controls forms another major part of this beta version update. Initially, any adjustment of Ring volume automatically altered Notification volume and vice versa. But, as pointed out by Android researcher Mishaal Rahman, the latest update has delinked these two elements, allowing for independent control.
Beta 4 of Android 14 also showcases further refinements such as upgraded default profile pictures and explicit dominance of the split screen option in the long press menu. Tablet users receive additional benefits in the form of a modernized widget picker and the Beta version support extended to include tablets and foldables. This update can be downloaded immediately by users of Pixel 4a and later Google phones.
Google's first developer beta for Android 14 was launched in March, followed by the public beta in April. As per the company’s roadmap, the new operating system is anticipated to achieve stability by July, and the final version is expected to roll out afterwards. If this timeline holds, Google is likely to unveil the stable version of Android 14 next August.
Other salient components of the Android 14 update include an updated back gesture, application-specific language settings, a screenshot detection API, and a new photo picker that enables users to grant app access to select photos only.
As platforms like the AppMaster platform gain traction in the no-code tech economy, it will be interesting to observe how these new features from Android 14 blend with no-code platforms to create innovative applications.
