Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
TL;DR
- At present, Google launched Android 16 Developer Preview 1 for supported Pixel units.
- The replace brings a handful of recent options, together with an embedded photograph picker.
- Most significantly, immediately’s launch pushes the eventual steady launch ahead by about three months.
Google threw us for a whirl final month when it introduced that it will launch Android 16 a complete lot sooner than traditional. In its announcement, the corporate confirmed the steady model of Android 16 would are available Q2 2025 as an alternative of Q3, slashing as a lot as three months off the standard wait time for a brand new Android improve. In that very same announcement, it additionally confirmed it will “quickly start the developer preview and beta program” for Android 16. Nicely, when Google meant “quickly,” it actually meant it, as immediately, just some weeks later, we have already got the primary Android 16 Developer Preview!
As at all times, Developer Preview releases are the primary early variations of a brand new Android improve. They’re often stuffed with bugs, have damaged options, and are usually not designed for use by customers (therefore the deal with builders within the identify). What Google actually needs is for builders to begin toying round with the software program and testing out their apps in order that they and Google have loads of time to iron out the kinks earlier than the steady launch.
In different phrases, it’s not really useful that you just set up Android 16 in your cellphone or pill proper now. Finally, Google will shift to public beta releases, that are designed for early adopter customers. Regardless, when you have a current Pixel gadget and are OK utilizing experimental software program on it, nothing is stopping you from putting in Android 16. We have now directions for you on the hyperlink, and the record of Pixel units that may set up Android 16 is right here:
- Pixel 6 and 6 Professional
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and seven Professional
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Pill
- Pixel 8 and eight Professional
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 9, 9 Professional, 9 Professional XL, and 9 Professional Fold
On condition that that is the primary launch, there’s not a lot to speak about fairly but. Right here’s what Google has confirmed.
Confirmed new options inside Android 16 DP1
The most important, most consumer-facing replace in Android 16 DP1 is a brand new record of APIs associated to the photograph picker. The photograph picker is the pop-up menu you see when importing media to an app. Years in the past, including media to an app would require that app to realize entry to your whole media library, which is clearly not nice. The photograph picker permits you to choose simply the images and movies you wish to add, stopping the app from “seeing” something besides what you give it.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
In Android 16 DP1, Google is bringing in new APIs that may enable builders to have extra inventive management over how the photograph picker seems for the person. This can make it really feel just like the photograph picker is extra part of that app, whereas nonetheless retaining the identical safety and privateness safeguards discovered within the photograph picker in Android 15 and earlier.
Elsewhere, Google is updating Well being Join inside Android 16 to help sure well being information. This can enable Well being Connect with each learn and write Digital Well being Information (EHRs) within the Quick Healthcare Interoperability Assets (FHIR) normal, which is probably going the identical normal your physician, dentist, and different healthcare suppliers use. As a result of delicate nature of this function, although, Google is limiting it inside an early entry program, forcing builders to use for entry earlier than enjoying round with it.
Lastly, Android 16 additionally consists of the newest model of Privateness Sandbox. This controversial system was designed to resolve some issues with third-party web cookies and different user-tracking programs. Nevertheless, not a lot has modified since Google began utilizing Privateness Sandbox, so it’s unlikely customers will see many variations of their experiences at the moment.
When will Android 16 launch in steady kind?
Google hopes to complete up the Developer Preview portion of the Android 16 rollout by the top of 2024. The primary beta launch — which would be the first time common customers can be inspired to provide it a shot — is predicted to land in January 2025. If all goes to plan, we must always see a steady launch of Andrroid 16 as early as Might 2025, though a June or July launch might be extra sensible.
Contemplating the Google Pixel 9 collection launched lots sooner than traditional this 12 months (August as an alternative of October), it’s not unreasonable to imagine the Google Pixel 10 collection might be the primary set of Android telephones to return with Android 16 out-of-the-box. When the Pixel 10 collection might launch, although, is unknown.
Additionally, do not forget that Google has already confirmed that it’s going to launch a second Android SDK improve in This fall 2025. This can be minor, although, with no deliberate compatibility modifications. As of now, we don’t know if this can be marketed as Android 16, Android 16.1, or one thing else. Google will possible verify this for us later in 2025.
