During the Italian night, Google released Android 14 Beta 1. This is the first of three other test versions of Big G's next operating system. By the autumn, the company should send all compatible smartphones and tablets the official and definitive package of the software which, according to the most recent StatCounter data, is installed on 70.88% of all mobile devices in the world.
iOS, for its part, holds a 28.42% share, up from 27.57% a year ago.
Among the most awaited innovations of Android 14, which can be installed on Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, a renewed graphical interface and the possibility to choose the language of each app, without having to change it from the general settings of the device.
Great attention is also paid to the features concerning data privacy.
In this sense, the visibility of sensitive data for developers has been reduced, who will also have to make it easier for users to delete their profile directly from applications or, at most, from the reference website.
Google suggests that the new privacy protections can be used to prevent less tech-savvy people, such as children and the elderly, from performing dangerous actions, such as transferring money to third-party accounts using platforms such as Google Pay, or making purchases on of e-commerce, taking advantage of the automatic logins of Android.
Version 14 also optimizes the accessibility options,
with the promise of helping users with disabilities more to navigate the menus and better customize the system.
On a graphic level, a new sharing interface arrives, to quickly access contacts with whom you have recently chatted or with whom you usually interact often.
More details will be revealed at the developer conference starting May 10, Google I/O 2023.
