Android 14 is the 64-bit fourteenth major release and the 21st version of Android, the mobile operating system developed by the Open Handset Alliance led by Google. It was released to the public and the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) on October 4, 2023. The first devices to ship with Android 14 are the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.
Android 14 builds upon the previous versions, Android 12L and 13, to better support tablets and foldable form factors. It also introduces new features and APIs for developers in areas such as camera, media, internationalization, accessibility, and user experience.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the most notable features and improvements that Android 14 brings to your Android smartphone and how you can get the update on your device.
Ultra HDR video capture
One of the most impressive features of Android 14 is the support for high-dynamic range (HDR) video capture. HDR video allows you to capture more details in both bright and dark areas of the scene, resulting in more realistic and vivid videos.
The Camera2 APIs in Android 14 enable HDR video capture for devices that support it. You can also use third-party camera apps that leverage the HDR video capture feature. Some of the devices that support HDR video capture are the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22, and OnePlus 10.
AI-Generated Wallpapers
Another feature that makes Android 14 more customizable and personal is the ability to create unique, truly customized wallpapers powered by artificial intelligence. With Android 14, you can follow the guided prompts to express yourself however you imagine. The AI will generate a wallpaper that matches your preferences and style. You can also choose from different themes, such as monochrome, abstract, or nature.
This feature is coming first to Pixel phones soon, but you can try out the demo on the Android website. You can also use your own photos or images from the web as the base for your AI-generated wallpaper.
Privacy Sandbox
Privacy is a key aspect of Android 14, and one of the initiatives that aim to improve user privacy and enable effective, personalized advertising experiences for mobile apps is the Privacy Sandbox. The Privacy Sandbox is a set of APIs that allow developers to access aggregated and anonymized data about user preferences and behavior without compromising individual privacy.
The Privacy Sandbox APIs include:
- Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC), which groups users into cohorts based on their browsing history and interests, allows advertisers to target ads to these cohorts rather than to individual users.
- Trust tokens are cryptographically signed tokens that can be used to prove the authenticity of a user or a website without revealing personal information.
- First-Party Sets, which allow related websites to declare themselves as a first-party set and share data and resources among themselves without exposing data to third parties,.
- Conversion measurement, which allows advertisers to measure the effectiveness of their ads by tracking conversions, such as purchases or sign-ups, without revealing user identity or behavior,.
The Privacy Sandbox APIs are currently in development and testing and are expected to be available for developers and users in the near future.
Health Connect
Health Connect is a new feature in Android 14 that provides a central way to connect your favorite health and fitness apps, see your health and fitness data in one place, and stay in control of your privacy. Health Connect is located in the Settings app, under the Health section.
With Health Connect, you can:
- Link your health and fitness apps to Health Connect, and choose what data you want to share with each app.
- View your health and fitness data in a dashboard and see trends and insights based on your data.
- Manage your data permissions and preferences, and delete your data from Health Connect or any linked app at any time.
Health Connect supports a variety of health and fitness data types, such as steps, calories, heart rate, blood pressure, sleep, and more. It also works with popular health and fitness apps, such as Google Fit, Samsung Health, Fitbit, Strava, and more.
Compose for Wear OS
Android 14 is not only for smartphones, but also for other devices, such as tablets, foldables, and watches. One of the new features that is designed for wearable devices is Compose for Wear OS, which is part of Android Jetpack. Compose for Wear OS helps you write better code faster, by using a declarative UI toolkit that simplifies UI development. With Compose for Wear OS, you can create beautiful and responsive UIs for your wearable apps, using less code and more reusable components. You can also take advantage of the Material Design guidelines, and the Jetpack libraries, to ensure a consistent and high-quality user experience.
How to get Android 14
Android 14 is available for a range of devices from different manufacturers, including Google, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Motorola, Nokia, and more. However, the availability and rollout of the update may vary depending on your device model, carrier, and region. Here are some ways to check and install Android 14 on your device:
- Check for updates: The easiest way to get Android 14 is to check for updates in your device settings. To do this, go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update. If there is an update available, you will see a notification and a download button. Tap on the button to download and install the update. Make sure you have enough battery and storage space before you start the process.
- Join the beta program: Another way to get Android 14 is to join the beta program, which allows you to test the latest features and provide feedback to Google. However, this option is only available for select devices, and it may involve some bugs and issues. To join the beta program, go to https://www.google.com/android/beta and sign in with your Google account. Then, follow the instructions to enroll your device and receive the update.
- Flash the factory image: The last way to get Android 14 is to flash the factory image, which is a file that contains the entire system image of the OS. This option is only recommended for advanced users, as it requires unlocking the bootloader and wiping the data on your device. To flash the factory image, you will need a computer, a USB cable, and the Android SDK tools. You can download the factory image for your device from https://developers.google.com/android/images. Then, follow the instructions to flash the image and reboot your device.
Conclusion
Android 14 is a major update that brings new features and enhancements to your Android smartphone, making it more customizable, accessible, and protective. Whether you want to capture stunning HDR videos, create unique AI-generated wallpapers, protect your privacy with the Privacy Sandbox, or connect your health and fitness apps with Health Connect, Android 14 has something for everyone.
If you have an eligible device, you can get the update now or wait for it to arrive on your device soon. If you don’t have an eligible device, you can still enjoy some of the new features and APIs that are available for all Android devices, such as predictive back, per-app languages, grammatical inflection, and more.