Google
Google is probably close to launching the first Android 12 developer beta, but so far, we don’t know much about the upcoming software update. That said, some screenshots were leaked and we can use Google’s previous behavior to make some well-founded assumptions. Below is what we currently know and what we think we know about Android 12.
What’s it going to be called?
- Google left its dessert nomenclature scheme behind
- Numbers are the future, so we hope it’s called Android 12
With the launch of Android 10 in 2019, Google announced that it would no longer use dessert names for the annual launch of an Android update. Last year, Google launched Android 11. So, from my accounts, that puts this year’s launch on Android 12.
When will Android 12 be released?
- A developer beta can be launched at any time
- Google generally follows the developer beta a few months later with a public beta
- An official launch takes place around August
The development process for each new version of Android is time-consuming, with a developer beta generally being released earlier this year. In 2020, Google launched the first beta developer of Android 11 on February 19. If Google follows the same time, we could see Android 12 very soon.
The public beta, which allows anyone with a compatible Android phone like a Google Pixel or OnePlus phone, to sign up and help Google test the next version of Android.
An official launch comes at the end of the summer, after developers have had time to prepare their applications for new APIs, and Google has had time to complete construction and get rid of any remaining bugs. Last year, Android 11 was released on September 8.
What new features are coming to Android 12?
- There haven’t been many leaks yet, so it’s not clear yet
- However, some alleged screenshots tell us a lot
Google does a good job of keeping Android’s new features a secret until the developer beta is available. This year is no different, with very little information leaking about what’s on Android 12.
That said, XDA developers recently published some screenshots that are supposed to be of documents shared with Google partners so they know what’s new in Android 12 so they can start preparing.
XDA Developers
Looking at the screenshots, you can see that there is a completely new appearance for widgets, similar to the appearance of widgets on iOS 14. There is also a new color-coded privacy label that lights up the signal meter when the microphone and camera device were or are being accessed by an application. Again, this is similar to the iOS feature that places a colored dot on the screen when an application has recently accessed or is using its microphone and camera.
As we learn more about Android 12, whether through leaks or an official announcement, we will continue to update this post.
What do you expect to see on Android 12? More iOS-like features or something different? Let us know in the comments below.