TL; DR
- Android 16 Developer Preview has been launched earlier than expected.
- New features: Audio sharing (Pixel 8/9), notification cooldown, 7-day privacy dashboard, and more.
- Eligible devices: Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 series, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold. Stable release likely in May 2024.
Android 16 has taken everyone by surprise, launching its developer preview in November 2024—much earlier than the expected February release. This comes just a month after Android 15’s stable update started rolling out, while leaving many devices, including Samsung, still waiting for Android 15’s beta.
Android 16 Developer Preview 1 Features
The Android 16 developer preview brings a few notable updates:
Photo Library Sharing: Developers can now integrate the custom Android photo picker into apps, making sharing photos and videos more seamless. This is the feature where you allow an app access to only certain photos and videos.
Health Connect Updates: The Health Connect app supports medical record sharing in FHIR format, enabling apps and devices to exchange health data with explicit user consent.
Privacy Sandbox: Google’s new privacy initiative (Sandbox) replaces Android’s advertising ID.
Audio Sharing: Share audio across multiple devices, currently exclusive to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series.
Notification Cooldown: Automatically reduces notification volume and minimizes alerts when multiple notifications are received in a short time. Exceptions include calls, alarms, and priority conversations.
7-Day Privacy Dashboard: Now displays a week-long history of app permission activity. Earlier, it was only a 24-hour view.
Also Read: Apple Intelligence India: How to Access on iOS 18.1
Android 16 Release Timeline
Google’s projected timeline hints at a shift toward faster API releases. The projected rollout includes:
- Developer previews in November and December.
- Beta versions from January to April.
- Final release potentially in May, aligning with Google I/O 2024 (May 14) or even earlier.
Android developer head Matthew McCullough stated this marks a commitment to rapid app and device innovation. With these changes, Android could see shorter update cycles going forward.
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Roundup: Release Date, Performance, Display, Cameras, And Everything Else We Know
Android 16 Developer Preview Eligible Devices
Here’s a list of all the Pixel devices eligible for the Android 16 Developer Preview. You can install the preview on your device by heading to developer.android.com/about/versions/16.
- Pixel 6 Series: Pixel 6a, 6, and 6 Pro
- Pixel 7 Series: Pixel 7a, 7, and 7 Pro
- Pixel 8 Series: Pixel 8a, 8, and 8 Pro
- Pixel 9 Series: Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
- Others: Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold
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