Why it issues: After two developer previews earlier this yr, Android 13 enters beta this week. A serious milestone earlier than the working system’s full launch later in 2022, the beta introduces options like higher media management and new error reporting instruments.
Google introduced the beginning of the beta on Tuesday for builders to check their apps on Android 13 and for customers who wish to get an early take a look at the upcoming OS. The solely gadgets Google confirmed are suitable are its newest Pixel telephones — the Pixel 4 and above. Users can test which of their gadgets are suitable whereas enrolling within the beta.
In order to assist Android 13, builders should accommodate a brand new system that offers customers extra granular management over what locally-stored media recordsdata apps can entry. Before, customers might merely grant an app entry to any media file, however now they’ll individually specify entry to footage, movies, or audio recordsdata.
Another addition to the beta for media apps is a brand new API that ought to route audio from apps to gadgets extra intelligently. The beta additionally introduces extra detailed and extra correct error reporting in Keystore and KeyMint. This will give builders extra instruments for key technology, encryption, and signing.
The final Android 13 developer preview was in late March. Its additions included a number of enhancements in rendering non-Latin writing, in addition to extra management over which apps can ship customers notifications.
Google expects its upcoming OS to succeed in stability in June, earlier than a public launch later this yr.
