If you have a spare Pixel smartphone, you can install Android 12 now.
Juan Garzon / CNET
Google released the developer’s first preview of Android 12, giving developers and pioneers a chance to check out the search giant’s latest mobile operating system. Android 12 beta developer installation it’s not for everyone – it’s probably full of bugs and problems – but we’ve installed it on a test device and are looking for any notable changes.
Read More: 3 things Android 12 can do that Android 11 doesn’t
The first preview doesn’t have many user-oriented features – it’s mostly underlying improvements – but there are some notable items that are worth pointing out. For example, there is a new double-tap gesture that you trigger by tapping the back of the phone to perform a task, such as taking a screenshot. Google always adds more features to the launch as we approach the public beta in May and the final launch later this year, so expect more improvements and news to come.
Below, we’ll highlight some of the new features we can find in the current build and continue to update the list as Google releases more updates and enables more features. I recommend waiting at least until the first public beta is released by Google before diving in and installing Android 12, but here’s what you can start to expect.
See this:
Our first look at Android 12
6:27 am
A double-tap gesture to get things done
The Apple iPhone has an interesting feature that allows you to tap the back of the phone a number of times to trigger an action of your choice. It looks like Google is going to borrow that idea with a new Double-Tap gesture.
On my Pixel 5, I went to settings > System > Gestures > Double tap where I activated the new feature. Once enabled, you will see a list of actions that can be triggered. Tasks include taking a screenshot, playing and pausing media, or opening the Google Assistant.
That said, I still haven’t managed to trigger the gesture successfully. I even disabled the setting at the bottom of the screen that requires a strong touch, with no luck. Clearly, it’s a feature that’s coming to Android 12, but it still doesn’t seem to be fully integrated.
Another sign that Google’s work is unfinished here: the animation shown at the top of the screen shows the person pressing the power button twice instead of touching the phone.
Press the power button five times to ask for help.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Ask for help with emergency SOS
You can now call for help quickly by quickly pressing the phone’s power button five times. A countdown alarm will sound stating that your phone is about to call for help and then call your local emergency number.
Emergency SOS was enabled by default after I installed the beta, but you can see the settings by opening the settings application and going to Security and Emergency > Emergency SOS.
Interface changes are coming.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Notifications have a slightly new look
This is a small change and will certainly be expanded in future updates. The notification panel has a very subtle new look. When you are using the clear theme, there is a blue tone in the notification tab and the icons in the app are more pronounced.
It’s a small change, but it shows a glimpse of the new interface approach that we hope to see more of in future versions.
Media controls are no longer an issue for ‘all apps’.
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani / CNET
Control which applications appear in the media settings
Instead of allowing any and all apps that play audio or video to use the media control panel in its quick settings panel, Android 12 adds the option to disable individual apps. For example, if you want to be able to control Spotify playback in the Quick Settings panel tab, but you really don’t want YouTube to take up space, you can turn it off.
Open settings > Sound and vibration > media and turn off all applications you want to ban.
The developer preview is only available for the Pixel phone line at this time.
Andrew Hoyle / CNET
What else?
We know that Google has a lot more reserved for Android 12 based on what people are finding buried in the current view. Features and configurations that require technology knowledge to activate. Check out this Twitter topic to see a list of features that are currently disabled, but XDA Developers’ editor in chief, Mishaal Rahman, is finding and showing off.
Yes, there is a lot to be excited about.
We will update this story with new features as they are officially added to Android 12. Until then, be sure to bookmark this page and check back often. In the meantime, be sure to check out our favorite Android 11 features. And, if you insist, see how you can install Android 12 developer preview right now.