Android 14 is available for download: after eight months of beta testing – the first Developer Preview dates back to February – the stable version can finally be downloaded on compatible Pixel smartphones starting today.
The watchword is personalization: with the new release of the operating system the user has greater control over the tools and functions provided by the device, especially regarding information on health, safety and accessibility.
The first important news concerns the colors: Android 14 improves the way the background is changed making it easier and allows the user to have more freedom to customize the lock screen by adding shortcuts to the apps that are used most frequently. Lock screen that is proposed in new, different models that differ in fonts, colors, formats and widgets. Artificial intelligence is able to modify the screen depending on certain situations: if bad weather suddenly arrives, for example, the weather widget is put more prominently.
Generative AI uses text-image diffusion models to help the user create custom backgrounds – there are also some preset solutions to start with. Alternatively, you can always opt for something more sober with the new monochrome theme.
Android 14 supports 10-bit HDR images with Ultra HDR, resulting in photos with brighter colors and sharper contrasts. With Ultra HDR, Google says, you can take and view high-definition photos without altering the original image quality.
Thanks to Health Connect integrated into the Android 14 settings you can save your data in one place, thus improving both the management (they are not scattered in different apps) and the level of privacy thanks to centralized control. The data is encrypted on the smartphone: no one can access it. To get the most out of Health Connect you need to sync your health and fitness apps.
With Android 14 the user also has more control over his data that the apps share with third parties: for example, you will receive a notification every time an app authorized to share our location intends to extend this information to third parties. The user can give consent or not.
It also improves PIN security: the new version of the operating system recommends the use of a 6-digit PIN. Once you type it will no longer be necessary to press enter to unlock your smartphone.
Google improves accessibility tools, especially for the low market and people with hearing impairments. The magnifying glass now allows you to pinch to zoom in/out by 100%, its size can be changed in the new magnifying glass settings panel, and you can also manually define which part of the screen needs to be magnified.
The text size is customizable through quick settings: in addition, large fonts are increased in size more slowly than smaller ones, so as to maintain a readable layout. The increase in font size reaches a maximum of 200% (previously: 130%).
It is now easier to use hearing aids, for example by directing audio to different outputs and allowing the user to quickly access the controls of each of these from a shortcut. On Android 14, flash notifications (accessibility settings and notifications) have also been introduced, which draw attention with the camera flash.
