The Android 17 Beta has officially launched, and it’s now available on a variety of Pixel devices, including the Pixel 10 Pro. Users can access this beta without going through a developer preview.
This morning, the Android 17 Beta 1 was rolled out to all Pixel devices, following a brief hiccup during the launch. If you own one of these devices, you can participate in the beta. While it’s advisable to treat beta versions cautiously due to possible bugs, this version is expected to be noticeably more stable than the developer previews, making it relatively safe for daily use. Should you encounter any glitches, there’s always the option to exit the beta and revert to a stable version.
Let’s explore the exciting new features of this update.
Exciting Features Introduced in Android 17 Beta
The Codename Is Official: “CinnamonBun”
We can now confirm that Android 17’s code name is officially “CinnamonBun,” which has appeared in the notification shade of the Beta update.
Enhanced Customization for Pixel Launcher
The Pixel Launcher’s Google Search bar has new customization options that allow modifications directly rather than just adding another widget to the home screen.
Official Feature List – Android 17 Beta 1
User Interface Improvements
Mandatory Adaptability for Large Screens
Applications built for Android 17 (API level 37) will automatically resize and adapt to orientation changes when used on larger displays.
- Ignored Attributes: Attributes like screenOrientation and resizeableActivity will not be recognized.
- Exemptions: Smaller devices and applications categorized as Games.
Configuration Change Optimization
The operating system will no longer restart Activities by default for specific changes, such as keyboard visibility and navigation configuration.
- Action Required: Apps relying on restarts to refresh resources must adopt a new configuration.
Performance Enhancements
- Lock-free MessageQueue: A new implementation reduces frame misses.
- Generational Garbage Collection: This improvement helps manage memory more efficiently.
- New Profiling Triggers: Added triggers allow more responsive management of application states.
- Notification Restrictions: Size limits on custom notifications decrease memory consumption.
Media and Camera Features
Camera Updates
- Dynamic Session Updates: Allows for seamless switching between different camera use cases.
Video and Audio Enhancements
- Constant Video Quality Mode: Enables users to maintain consistent quality when recording.
- Audio Lifecycle Management: Changes in audio playback will only occur if the app is in an appropriate state.
- VVC Support: Accommodates Versatile Video Coding (H.266).
Privacy and Security Features
- Cleartext Deprecation: Developers will need to move towards stricter security configurations.
- HPKE Hybrid Cryptography: A new interface for hybrid cryptography implementation.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of notable features in Android 17 Beta:
- The new codename “CinnamonBun” adds a playful touch.
- Customization of the Pixel Launcher search bar enhances user interaction.
- Mandatory large screen adaptability is likely to improve experiences for tablet users.
- Performance improvements aim to make the operating system more efficient.
- Updated privacy features prioritize security for users and developers.
- Dynamic session updates in the camera enhance photography.