The subsequent massive Android replace, Android 14, is anticipated to reach later within the 12 months, and due to a number of developer sneak peeks and betas, we have got a good suggestion of what is coming. But there are possible options within the full launch that we’ve not encountered but, so here is the whole lot we would prefer to see.
So far, Android 14 previews and the open beta have launched swipe gestures, help for the PS5 DualSense controller, extra app customization, and cloning apps for a number of accounts. Though all that is useful, we’re fairly at nighttime as we await Google to unveil extra of the performance that is coming within the subsequent main replace to its cellphone software program.
We’ll most likely study extra in regards to the replace at Google I/O 2023 in May, and we count on to see it totally launched within the fall alongside the Pixel 8 and eight Pro telephones. In the meantime, we’re left to think about the perfect updates to Android, together with extra performance for next-generation gadgets and applied sciences.
It’s clear Google’s rivals are integrating AI into software program, so it will make sense to do the identical with Android, however there are many different alternatives, like integrating gadgets reminiscent of wearables and foldables.
Here are our most-wanted upgrades in Android 14.
AI shortcuts
It’s no secret Google was a bit of blindsided by ChatGPT, which reportedly brought on a “code pink” on the firm and hastened inside improvement of AI instruments. Given that Microsoft has been integrating its Bing AI into the whole lot from Windows 11 to its SwiftKey third-party cellphone keyboard, we might see much more AI built-in into Android.
There’s a lot that AI might do in Android, reminiscent of rapidly accessing Google’s Bard AI to reply random questions. But it might turn out to be one thing of a cellphone OS concierge, utilizing the perfect elements of the Google Assistant performance to fulfill consumer wants through textual content as a substitute of voice.
Health wearable integrations?
Google launched Health Connect at Google I/O 2022 as a nexus for private wellness, gathering all of your health and exercise from a number of apps into one place — and sharing that information between the apps, that means your exercises would depend for all apps as a substitute of simply what’s working. Health Connect remains to be in beta, however we wish to see it extra totally built-in into Android 14 to formalize it throughout apps.
Fitness and wellness apps have to decide on to help Health Connect, and customers should manually obtain it, so having it come built-in into telephones with Android 14 would go a great distance towards adoption. Android code analyst Mishaal Rahman theorized that Google could also be planning such integration.
Handoffs to different gadgets
Android 13 improved handoffs, however what about calls? Android 14 might make it very straightforward so that you can have a name on one Android system and seamlessly hand it over to a different, as steered by a code string Rahman found.
This is a characteristic Apple’s gadgets have had for years, and it is smart for Google to combine it amongst gadgets which might be all working Android or Wear OS, from telephones to tablets to wearables to televisions.
Matter setup assist
Google launched its Matter good residence commonplace late final 12 months to make it simpler for gadgets from completely different firms to hyperlink collectively, and it rolled out compatibility updates to its personal Android and Nest Thermostat gadgets. We have not seen many gadgets launch but that help the platform, and we’re nonetheless ready on current Amazon and Apple gadgets to be up to date with Matter help. But within the meantime, we’re in search of better ease of use when organising our good residence gadgets.
Better Foldable software program
Android 12L was the primary forked model of Android designed to higher use the bigger screens on tablets and foldables and enhance consumer expertise. Those upgrades have partially filtered into the principle model of Android, however we wish to see extra usability and options that take better benefit of huge and versatile screens.
Though rollable telephones will not be coming anytime quickly, we see versatile show prototypes yearly at CES — together with new foldable ideas past the clamshell and “e-book” codecs. It can be nice to see Google making ready for the subsequent wave of cellphone designs by truly providing a compelling characteristic or utility for them. As it stands, there is not a lot motive to check out gadgets with versatile and expanded shows.
That might change with the upcoming Pixel Fold, the corporate’s first foldable, and we would adore it if Google had some show-stopping software program for its new system — which we hope would increase the bar for all foldables.
Faster upgrades for cellphone manufacturers
Our perennial need is that the latest model of Android will get to non-Google telephones quicker than final 12 months. Though Samsung rushes out updates inside a couple of months of the latest model’s launch, Motorola and others take issues into the subsequent 12 months — we would prefer to see that point shortened, particularly for lower-end telephones which might be sometimes up to date later.
We additionally wish to see extra of the Pixel-only options unfold to different Android telephones — and sure, Magic Eraser is usable by Google One storage subscribers, however we want it was natively accessible on different gadgets, even when it is not as efficient as it will be on a Tensor-powered Google cellphone.Â
