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Google releases new Android 14 Developer Preview build with various changes

The Pixel 4a 5G is Google's oldest device eligible for Android 14. (Image source: Google)
The Pixel 4a 5G is Google's oldest device eligible for Android 14. (Image source: Google)
Google has presented Android 14 Developer Preview 2, the second iteration of Android 14. While Android 14 DP2 does not make any major design alterations or features from Android 13, Google has integrated several changes aimed at improving security.
Android Google Pixel Smartphone Software

Google has introduced Android 14 Developer Preview 2 (DP2), the second Android 14 release so far. Android 14 DP2 arrives a month after its predecessor, which mostly brought under-the-hood changes from Android 13. For reference, Google continues to restrict Android 14 Developer Preview builds to Pixel smartphones. As such, the Pixel 4a 5G onwards is eligible for Android 14 DP2, with the Pixel 4a having already received its three allotted Android OS updates. 

As the image below highlights, Google hopes to move from Developer Preview builds to public beta testing in a month's time, which is also when it will debut the majority of consumer-facing alterations from Android 13. Additionally, Google is likely to showcase major design changes and new features at I/O 2023. This year's I/O conference will start on May 10 and may be the jumping-off point for the Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold, not just Android 14.

(Image source: Google)
(Image source: Google)

Android 14 DP2 contains some noticeable changes from stable Android 13 builds though, such as new security features. For example, it is now possible to only give app access to selected photos, mirroring iOS, which was only available previously in Android 13 if an app used Google's default photo API. Moreover, Android 14 DP2 integrates login via PassKeys within Google Play Services rather than passwords. This feature is open to all devices running Android 4.4 KitKat onwards.

Google claims that it has included greater restrictions on background apps that should pause them more quickly with a view to reducing power consumption. Please see the Android Developers Blog for more details, where it also details 'regional preferences', an option to personalise numbering systems, the first day of the week and temperature units. While Android already arranges these based on language and location settings, ex-pats may prefer European standards in North America and visa versa.

(Image source: Google)
(Image source: Google)
(Image source: Google)
(Image source: Google)

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2023 03 > Google releases new Android 14 Developer Preview build with various changes
Alex Alderson, 2023-03- 9 (Update: 2023-03- 9)