Google is preparing these Android 13 features for your phone

Google only recently released the Feature drop Android December 13 for Pixel devices, but the company is already working on a future update for its devices. Google has released Android 13 QPR2 Beta 1 (Quarterly Platform Release) for developers with a bunch of new features and changes. These changes are meant to make your Android experience even better. In this article, we explore what’s new in the latest beta and what features Google might release with Android 13 QPR2.

Note: Some features are not enabled by default and may be removed before the stable version of Android 13 QPR2 is released to the public.

UI tweaks

First, let’s take a look at the visual changes that the new beta version brings. The most notable change is in the Quick Settings area, where the digital clock is much larger than before. The date has also moved under the clock. The mobile service label, which currently appears next to the status bar icons, now appears in the top right corner with a much larger font.

Google can’t stop tweaking the ‘Now Playing’ widget, and yes, again, the company tweaked it in the Android 13 QPR2 Beta 1 built. In the latest build, a foggy overlay appears in the background of the media player cover art. This animation appears when the player first opens and does not occur again. It doesn’t appear to be linked to the current view, leading us to believe it’s still in development and not yet completed.

Redesigned back gesture

The back gesture of Android has been the same since the release of Android 10 in 2019. But it now seems that Google is working on a redesigned back animation for the stable release of Android 13 QPR2. In the new build, there’s a new back gesture – currently disabled by default – in which the back arrow is placed in a circular blob that expands to match the movement of your gesture. Watch it in action below (via 9to5Google):

Quickly launch apps from the search bar

Another feature that isn’t enabled by default but should make it to the stable version is ‘Quick Launch’ in the search bar. Like iOS, Google leave you now quick start an application by pressing the enter key on the keyboard. When you search for an app (which is already installed on your phone), a mark appears behind the app’s icon. You can simply press the enter button on the keyboard to launch the app instead of tapping the app icon.

Desktop mode

Google has been working on a desktop mode for Android for quite some time now, and the latest Android 13 QPR2 Beta 1 offers our best look at the feature yet. When your device is in desktop mode, all apps open in free windows that can be dragged across the screen. You can resize windows, maximize/minimize them or even use them in split screen mode.

When the feature is complete, it will work much like how modern macOS and Windows work. The feature is disabled by default in the latest beta (for now), but it’s good to see Google working on a new user experience for Android. We expect the feature to be available when the Pixel tablet starts next year.

In addition to Desktop mode, Google is also working on a redesigned taskbar for Android tablets. The new taskbar will embrace the Material You design, and instead of always being at the bottom, it will support a new iPad-like gesture where you can bring it up by swiping up from the bottom. Like the rest of the features in the list, this feature is also currently disabled by default.

Share partial screen

Google is also working on a desktop feature for Android. The company is working on a partial screen sharing feature that will allow users to record or cast only one app. This is similar to how users can select individual tabs or windows to share in video conference calls. When the feature launches, users will have the option to choose between recording a single app or sharing the entire screen.

Grayscale material Your theme

Android Guru Mishaal Rahman has revealed that Google will add a new “monochromatic” theme to Android 13. According to 9to5Google, This theme is “made up of two colors – #666666 and #333333, a light and dark shade of gray respectively”, and is made for those who don’t like the colorful Material You theme.

Other possibilities

• There’s a thicker fill for icons in the Pixel Launcher, which means icons are spaced further apart than they are currently in the stable Android 13 build. However, this may change with the future release.
• You can now enable 1080p resolution on the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Prior to this build, the Pixel 6 Pro ran at 1440p resolution by default and it couldn’t be changed.
• The Battery Health settings have received a makeover in the latest beta. The panel now shows battery details and remaining capacity. If the battery is aging normally, a green check mark will appear. If not, the panel will provide tips to extend battery life.
• Spatial Audio is now (again) available on Pixel 6 and newer devices.
• Google is reviewing the ability to separate ringtone and notification volume in Android 13 QPR2.

What features would you like to see in the stable build? Let us know in the comments below!

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