Google will begin rolling out the beta version of Android 14 to developers in the coming months. But insiders have already revealed some innovations of the update. If, in the previous versions, the main attention was paid to the design, we are expecting more internal transformations in the system coming this year. Here’s everything we know about Android 14 Upside Down Cake.
No Malware
According to published code changes, Android 14 will increase the requirements for the application API. Therefore, you won’t be able to install apps developed for the older versions of the OS. The rule applies not only to utilities in Google Play, but also to all APK files from third-party sources.
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Initially, the restriction will be active for applications built for very old versions like Jelly Bean. But later, the threshold is planned to be raised to Android 6.0 and above. However, it will be finally determined by the device manufacturer.
Improved Share menu
Agree that the “green robot” has always had one drawback – the inconsistency of the “Share” menu. Functionally and externally, it is different in each application, not to mention the firmware of vendors based on AOSP. Google intends to fix the problem with the Project Mainline module. The upcoming update will bring a single view of the window for sending content, regardless of the model of the gadget and software.
Updates for root certificates
This is an important system component responsible for a secure connection between the device and sites or some utilities. These certificates have an expiration date, after which certain web pages will not be loaded on the device. For example, in 2021, users of Android 7.0 and older versions faced this problem.
Android 14 will add the ability to update them separately from the entire system at the expense of Google Play services. As a result of the support of current certificates, a complete software update will not be required. So outdated devices will be able to access the Internet without hindrance. However, you will not have to use the function in the near future: current root certificates will be valid until 2035.
Health Connect
There are many utilities for tracking health indicators, including those from hardware manufacturers. Most often, they provide data transfer from one application to another. But until recently, there was no single API for synchronizing information between all these tools.
For this, Google introduced the Health Connect program, which is responsible for the convenient exchange of information between fitness utilities. For example, information from MyFitnessPal, Samsung Health, Fitbit, and Google Fit can all be stored in one central location. Health Connect is expected to be installed on the system starting with Android 14.
Satellite communication
Hiroshi Lockheimer, senior vice president of the Android division at Google, announced the introduction of satellite communication support in the fourteenth version of the “green robot”. As he said, the works are already underway. By analogy with the iPhone 14, the option will most likely provide communication via satellites in hard-to-reach places where the network signal is weak.
Android 14 beta testing starts in April. And the final release will appear in August or September 2023.
