The new version of the Android operating system is on the way. Google has released the first developer preview of Android 13, giving users a pretty comprehensive look at what some of the upcoming features will look like. And, as is often the case with these types of announcements, there are already hundreds of rumors on the Internet about possible additional updates.
Between the official word of Google and the speculation of the network forums, there is a long middle ground where it is possible to glimpse how Android 13 could take advantage of the privacy features of Android 12, the improvements in the user interface and the revision of its design. .
If you’re curious about the Android 13 release date, or wondering what new features might be rolling out to your phone in the coming months, here’s what’s new in the latest version of Android:
Release date
Although Google has not publicly revealed a specific release date for Android 13, the Android Developer Blog provides a rough timeline for the release. Google will release a second developer preview before this summer, and then a beta will come out every month through July.
Judging by precedent, Android 13 could debut a month after the final beta. The fifth and final beta version of Android 12 came out in September 2021, and Google officially released the app in October. With Android 11 (2020) and Android 10 (2019), the final beta versions were introduced in August, and the operating system arrived on phones in September. So it can be reasonably assumed that Android 13 will arrive in August this year. If not, September is a safe bet.
New photo privacy feature
Android 12 introduced a kill option that allows you to prevent apps from accessing your camera and microphone, and also added the option to show apps your approximate location instead of your exact whereabouts. It seems that Android 13 will strengthen these privacy settings.
According to Google’s Android Developers Blog, Android 13 will include a photo picker. This means that when an app wants to access your images and videos, as social media and photo-editing apps often do, you’ll be able to select specific media files to share instead of granting access to all of them.
Updated design with more color options
The Material You redesign was the star of the Android 12 unveiling, with UI color schemes that automatically adjust based on the wallpaper you select. The Android Developer Blog says that Android 13 will add even more color customization to Material You.
In Android 12, only Google apps work with the adjustable color palette feature. But Android 13 will extend the feature to all apps, as long as app developers agree to design alternative icons that are monochrome.
