Android 13 or Android T, code-named Tiramisu, is the next version of the Android mobile operating system that Google will unveil later this year, and despite the way for its launch is still far away, Google has just announced the first Developer Preview (DP1) of Android 13, to give us the first look of some features that may arrive the final version of Android T.
To help protect the photo and video privacy of users, Android 13 adds a system photo picker as a standard and optimized way for users to share both local and cloud-based photos securely.
Previously, apps had access to all user's photos when they tried to pick a photo to use in a particular app (for example, to set profile photos on a social network app). The new photo picker gives these applications the right to only access the images selected by the user, which will enable the protection of the user’s privacy and sensitive information, and Google plans to expand this feature in the future through Play system updates to include all devices running Android 11 or higher.
Next, Android 13 introduces the NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES runtime permission for apps that manage a device's connections to nearby access points over Wi-Fi. The new permission enables apps to discover and connect to nearby devices over Wi-Fi without needing location permission, which should help protect users’ privacy.
In Android T, apps can now prompt the user to directly add their custom tile to the set of active Quick Settings tiles. A new system dialog lets the user add the tile in one step, without leaving the app, rather than having to go to Quick Settings to add the tile.
Google is also extending the "Material You" dynamic color on Android Tiramisu beyond its core apps to all app icons, letting users opt into icons that inherit the tint of their wallpaper and other theme preferences.
App developers need to supply is a monochromatic app icon (for example, your notification drawable) and a tweak to the adaptive icon XML to support this feature.
Themed app icons are initially supported on Pixel devices, and Google is working with devices manufacturers to bring them to more devices.
Android 13 DP1 also comes with custom per-app language support, a feature we previously reported, that enables users to individually change the language of apps directly from the Settings app without having to change all system language, which is a useful feature for people who speak or understand more than one language, or those who prefer to use some apps in a different language than their device's language.
Android 13 users will also be able to add apps installed on their device to the guest mode apps list. In guest mode, app data like logins are separate from the main user apps, so you can share your device with others without worrying about them accessing your personal data.
In addition, Android 13 DP1 has some other minor UI changes, including:
- The quick settings menu got three new tiles for color correction, One-handed mode (to turn it on or off), and QR code.
- The music player's notification panel has received some UI updates, as it gets a shuffle button and a new output picker with sliders to control volume.
- On devices with a large screen, up to 6 apps can now be placed in the home screen dock.
- Apps in picture-in-picture mode have a new button to switch the app to split-screen mode.
- Turning on silent mode disables all device vibrations and haptics.
- There is an option to disable the Google Assistant launch feature by pressing and holding the home button.
- Added a new "Toggle flashlight" option on the Quick Tap menu on Pixel devices (when double-clicking the back cover of Pixel 5 and above).
- Added an option to quickly change the device wallpaper when hold clicking on the home screen.
It is worth noting that some of the changes we mentioned here may not find their way to the final stable version of Android 13, which is expected to be released after next July, as Google may delete or change them in the next developer preview, or during the beta phase, which will run from Mach to July according to the following schedule:
