Android 14 Beta 2 is now available, but it’s really buggy!
Google has released the second beta of Android 14, the next major version of its mobile operating system. The beta is available for a range of devices from Google and its partners, and it includes a number of new features and improvements.
New back animation
One of the biggest new features in Android 14 is continued additions to the new design language called Material You. As a reminder Material You allows users to customize the look and feel of their device by choosing from a variety of colors and themes. The system will then automatically apply these colors to other elements of the UI, such as the notification shade and the lock screen. An example of a new Material You feature that I’ve been enjoying is the UI matched back animation (see image to the right).
Android 14 also includes a number of other new features, such as:
A new multitasking interface that makes it easier to switch between apps
A new notification protocol for what used to be non-dismissible notifications, that makes it easier to manage those types of notifications
A new security feature that protects users from malicious apps
The Android 14 beta is available now for a range of devices. To learn more about the beta and to download it, visit the Android Developers website.
Android 14 is still surprisingly buggy, with full system crashes happening 2-3 times per week. I would not recommend downloading until the there is a more stable release if you don’t have a backup device.