Google puts the finishing touches on Android 13 |
Google started shipping Android 13 Beta 3 for Pixel devices and now it's platform stable. This success means that Android 13 has reached the internal and external API and the final application behavior.
The announcement states that Google has made a major update and that everything that happens until the final version is being finalized.
The release of the new operating system also reached the milestone two months before Android 12, a more ambitious update that brought many bugs to device owners.
While Android 12 introduced major new customization options in the form of Material You, Android 13 is a minor update that expands these features by applying icon themes and UI color options.
This comes after the search giant released the Beta 2 of the operating system at I/O 2022. The update brings some notable features.
Developers of applications, games, SDKs, libraries, and game engines can now target the platform stability period to schedule final compatibility testing and public releases to ensure that compatibility updates are ready before the final release.
Google urges developers using Beta 3 to test app compatibility. Since Android 13 is now in the stable platform stage, app developers must test their apps for compatibility in time for the final release. This gives them time to make the necessary updates before the stable version of the operating system is released.
Google also highlighted some changes that app developers should be aware of when testing their apps via Beta 3, such as: B. Runtime permissions for clipboard notifications and previews.
Android 13 reaches platform stability with Beta 3
After testing and rolling out the updated version of the app, the company is also urging developers to start updating the target SDK version of their app, reviewing apps for Android 13 for behavior changes, and using the compatibility framework to identify issues.
Google has highlighted a number of changes that developers should test if their apps target API level 33 or higher:
- Allows devices near wireless networks.
- The body sensor permission has been changed.
Google also stressed that developers should include tablets and other large-screen devices in their tests.
Developers can test improvements for devices with larger screens by setting up an Android emulator in the Android development environment. You can also do this with a large screen compatible device.
Here are some changes that developers should be aware of when testing:
- Working with the taskbar.
- Multi-window mode.
- Enhanced compatibility experience.
- Camera preview.
Google's post does not highlight any user related changes in beta 3. However, this version may contain undocumented changes.
The company is rolling out the update to the Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, and Pixel 5 devices, as well as the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4 devices.