The First Beta of Android 16 now available

Google has started the rollout of Android 16 Beta 1 for Pixel devices. This “beta-quality release” is now an over-the-air (OTA) update for devices enrolled in the Android Beta Program.

Key Features in Android 16 Beta 1

1. Adaptive Apps for All Devices

 

Android 16 enhances app adaptability for various device sizes and orientations. Key updates include: Apps targeting API level 36 in 2025 must support resizable windows for screens wider than 600dp, with an opt-out option.
By 2026, apps targeting API level 37 must comply, with no opt-out available.
Google provides frameworks, tools, and libraries to assist developers in optimizing their apps.

2. Live Updates

Live Updates introduces a new notification system for real-time activities such as ride sharing, food delivery, and navigation. Features include:

A ProgressStyle notification template for consistent user experiences.
Customizable icons, progress tracking, and milestones for user journeys.

3. Camera and Media Advancements

• Android 16 delivers key updates for high-quality media creation and editing: Advanced Professional Video (APV): Supports professional-grade video recording and editing with features such as:
• Perceptually lossless video quality.
• Resolutions up to 8K at bitrates of 2Gbps.
• HDR10/10+ support and multi-view video options.
• Implementation through the OpenAPV Project with the 422-10 Profile.
• Night Mode Detection: APIs to help apps detect low-light conditions during camera sessions.
• Vertical Text Rendering: Introduces the VERTICAL_TEXT_FLAG for vertical writing systems, beneficial for languages like Japanese.

4. Accessibility Enhancements

New APIs focus on inclusivity and usability:

Supplemental Descriptions: Allow developers to label ViewGroup elements without overriding child content.
Required Form Fields: Enables apps to specify mandatory fields using the setFieldRequired API.

5. Generic Ranging APIs

The new RangingManager enables devices to measure distance and angles using technologies such as BLE, Ultra-Wideband, and WiFi round trip time. Behavior and Compatibility Changes

Android 16 includes several system-level improvements:

Predictive Back Navigation: Enhanced back gesture animations now apply to 3-button navigation systems.
ART Updates: Internal Android Runtime (ART) changes improve performance, but may affect apps relying on non-SDK elements.
Fixed Work Scheduling: Optimized scheduleAtFixedRate to improve performance during lifecycle transitions.
Broadcast Priority Changes: Broadcast delivery order is now restricted within the same process, rather than system-wide.

 

Device Compatibility and Availability

Android 16 Beta 1 (BP22.250103.008) includes the January 2025 security patch and supports the following devices:

• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a
• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a
• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL
• Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel Pro Fold

It is also available on the Android Emulator for development purposes.