Before the launch of the Android 12 Developer Preview, which may be coming, here is a recap of all the Android 12 leaks we’ve seen so far.
We typically learn the general features of the next version of Android when the first Developer Preview is released, with minor tweaks appearing in subsequent updates. This year, a significant amount of information about Android 12 leaked or appeared in the public source code before the Developer Preview, which is likely to begin sometime this month.
To help keep track of what’s to come with the next version of Google’s mobile operating system, we’ve collected all of the various Android 12 leaks in one hub, which we’ll keep up to date.
Everything we know about Android 12
Android 12 dessert
All major Android releases since Cupcake in 2009 have used a dessert name that begins with a subsequent letter of the alphabet. Although this practice has stopped publicly with Android 10 – which would have been called “Queen’s Cake” – Google has continued to use these dessert names internally. For example, Android 11 was “Red Velvet Cake” – a fact that emerged in a fun Easter egg from Google’s Android virtual statue for 2020.
As reported by XDA, the name of the internal dessert in Android 12 is “Snow Cone”. Do what you want with this information.
Leaked design mockups
The most interesting thing is that there have been models that describe what Android 12 should look like, and what we see is a radical redraw. You can see images of this leak spread throughout this post, but it’s important to note that we’re not sure if they represent what Android 12 will look like when we finally see it. Those they are not screenshots, but are simply artistic representations of a specific design that Google is considering.
Thematic system
One thing you can see in all the leaked Android 12 design models is that, instead of the common colors of white or black used on Pixel phones, we find a primary color best described as “sand”. This is due to an in-depth theme system that is set to debut with Android 12.
The Android 12 theme system should offer a few different primary colors to choose from, from which your theme will be built. The most interesting thing is that Android application developers will be able to reformulate their application based on the color of the chosen theme, if they so choose.
“NEXT material”
Of course, there’s a lot more going on in the design models of Android 12 than just a theme system. There’s also a huge collection of minor tweaks, like notification cards with lots of rounded corners, new shapes and spacing for quick setting blocks, and more.
According to XDA, they can come together to form a larger whole called internally “NEXT TO MATERIAL”. As far as we can gather, it is possible that this points to a third generation of Google Material Design following the 2014 original and the reformulation of the “Material Themes” of 2018. It is also possible that this “Material NEXT” may simply refer to updates for the use of Material Design by integrated Android and UI applications.
“Conversations” widgets
Another aspect that stands out in the leaked models is that Android 12 can add special “Conversations” widgets for use on the home screen. Each of these widgets seems to represent something like a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while or a missed call that you should probably return. Details are a little scarce for now, but appear to be in line with Google’s efforts to “create a people-focused operating system”.
One-handed mode
For those with taller phones, Android 12 can bring a native “one-handed mode” that will shrink your phone’s screen vertically, putting everything within reach of your thumbs. However, unlike most versions of the one-handed mode that reduces both height and width, it appears that Android 12 can only decrease the height.
Privacy improvements
Following iOS tips, Android 12 appears to be working on a variety of improvements to help you be more aware of your privacy. In the upper right corner, you’ll find a privacy indicator that can appear in orange or green, telling you that an app is using or has recently used your camera or microphone.
Along with the privacy indicator, it was announced that the Android 12 Settings app will have a renewed privacy page, where you can completely disable your phone’s camera, microphone and location sensors.
Scrolling images
In 2019, Google confirmed that scrolling screenshots – in which your phone takes a screenshot, scrolls down, picks up another and merges the two (or more) – would actually come to Android as a native feature. So far, this hasn’t happened with Android 10 or 11, but according to XDA, Google has been working hard on scrolling screenshots, which may be ready to launch with this year’s launch.
Picture-in-picture improvements
With Android 11, Google added the ability to resize its floating picture-in-picture window by grabbing the corner and dragging. For Android 12, according to XDA, picture-in-picture windows can be compressed to resize accurately or two taps to quickly jump to maximum size.
In addition, it has been reported that picture-in-picture windows can offer a way to “hide” the window almost entirely off the screen so that you can see more of your currently active application. With a simple touch, your hidden window will come out.
Application pairs
Android 12 configured to renew split screen with ‘application pairs’
Given the increase in foldable and dual screen devices, Android 12 has been released to include a new form of split screen called “application pairs”. In the application pair system, you should be able to treat two separate applications as a “task” in your recent application view, allowing you to quickly switch from one pair of applications to another single application. It is not known whether Android 12 application pairs also offer quick shortcuts to a specific pair, such as Samsung’s application pairs.
Our team created a model of what we believe to be the Android 12 App Pairs system.
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This is a model!
Game mode
Between the variety of games offered by Google Play Games and the growing wealth of game streaming services like Stadia and Xbox Game Pass, games on Android have never been greater. To keep up with this growth, Android 12 could bring a dedicated “game mode” option, according to XDA. More specifically, a “GameManager” was discovered, which is listed as a “service to manage resources related to the game”. For now, the potential “game mode” of Android 12 is still a mystery.
Reduce brightness
As a minor detail, XDA reported that Android 12 will gain a “Reduce brightness” tile in the quick settings. From what has been discovered, “Reduir Brilho” seems to be an accessibility resource aimed at people with visual impairments.
Hibernate Applications
While flagship phones are always increasing in storage space, not everyone has the luxury of an expensive phone with a high capacity. To help reduce the amount of storage used on your phone, it has been reported that Android 12 can provide a way for apps to “hibernate” when they are not being actively used. The details of how this hibernation will work are still a little scarce.
Third-party app store improvements
This particular rumor is not a leak, but it is still a welcome improvement for Android. Google shared last year that it was listening to feedback from Android app developers and would make it easier to use a third-party app store – something other than the Play Store or Galaxy Store, like the Epic Games Store – on Android 12.
Google did not share any details about how this would work, but it is expected to be a good compromise between Android’s open nature and Google’s desire to keep people safe from malware.
Android 12 features for Pixel smartphones
In addition to the wider features of Android 12, which should be available to owners of almost any phone that receives the update, Google appears to have prepared a package of features exclusive to its Pixel phones.
Double touch gesture
The biggest improvement that has leaked to Pixel phones is that Android 12 should bring the double-tap gesture that we saw earlier in Android 11 development. Code-named “Columbus”, the Android 12 double-tap gesture should allow you to do things how to open Google Assistant, play / pause music, open the notifications tab, and more.
Automatic face-based rotation
Pixel smartphones should also get a new automatic rotation option on Android 12, which uses the camera to check which way your face is facing. Basically, if you are lying on your side and holding your phone to the side, your face and phone should be facing the same side, and Android 12 will know that you want to be in portrait mode.
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