Google is expected to release Android 12 later this year, meaning that developer views and betas are likely to be available for download soon. You may not have to wait so long to see what the next phone has in store for you: XDA Developers posted what could be our first look at Android 12. The publication found an “alleged initial draft” of a Google document summarizing changes to the operating system, and comes with some screenshots, including one that shows an opaque notification panel with entries that have pronounced rounded corners.
You will also notice in the screen shot to the right above that the UI shows only four blocks of quick settings instead of the usual six. There is a new privacy indicator in the upper left corner of the interface, showing whether the phone’s camera and microphone are also in use. When you tap the indicator, it shows which apps are using the camera and microphone, and a change to your privacy settings will allow you to turn them off completely.
While XDA Developers he cannot verify the authenticity of the images themselves, he says that the original document is authentic. Based on this document, Google will make the privacy indicator a mandatory feature for all Android 12 devices. The technology giant will also debut “chat widgets” (see the second screenshot on the left) with the operating system and also will make it a mandatory feature.