Google releases second Developer Preview of Android 14 with improvements in privacy, security, and performance.

 

Google has released the second Developer Preview of Android 14, featuring additional improvements in privacy, security, and performance. The new release also focuses on enhancing the experience on tablets and foldable devices. It includes a platform API called Credential Manager, which allows apps to sign in using passkeys. The second DP also brings changes to the API based on feedback received from the first DP. Android 14 also provides users with the ability to enable apps to access specific photographs and videos, or no access at all. Additionally, the new version comes with optimizations to Android's memory management system, resulting in improved resource usage while apps run in the background. There will be fewer non-dismissible notifications in Android 14, and there are improved APIs for app stores. The second Developer Preview is only recommended for app developers for testing purposes. The first beta version of Android 14 is expected to be released in April, followed by three more beta releases in the subsequent months. The initial version of Android 14 will require apps targeting the platform to grant privileges to start activities in the background. The Developer Preview 2 is installable on Pixel 4a 5G and later Google devices, and once the first beta version is released, consumers will have easier access to it.