While Android 13 isn’t yet available for all OEMs, news regarding Android 14 is circulating online. Android 14 beta will likely allow phones to connect directly to satellites, like the iPhone 14 series, in April 2023. This is exciting news, but what’s more exciting at hand is that Google has released the Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1 update for eligible devices.
Google Pixel devices receive QPR updates as Feature Drops. One Redditor said that Google has released Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1 for Pixel 6a. The update brings a bunch of new features, loads of bug fixes, and a bunch of performance optimizations.
This update includes October’s security patch, not September’s.
Bluetooth audio now supports LC3. It follows a rumour last week that Google will add Bluetooth LE Audio with the LC3 codec to the Pixel 7 series next month. Similar to spatial audio, neither option seems to work properly.
Clear Calling can improve phone calls.
Android 13 offers MEP support, although it’s not activated here. Dual SIM from one eSIM chip will be a key part of Android’s future.
“High sensitivity” mode is now called “Screen protector mode”
If you’re using an on-device speech recognizer, a new “Languages & input” setting emerges.
As typically, Google’s patch notes go beyond bug fixes. Mishaal Rahman of Esper.io found hidden and not-so-hidden features. His findings:
This update includes October’s security patch, not September’s.
Bluetooth audio now supports LC3. It follows a rumour last week that Google will add Bluetooth LE Audio with the LC3 codec to the Pixel 7 series next month. Similar to spatial audio, neither option seems to work properly.
Android 13 QPR1 Beta 1 changelog:
- Clear Calling can improve phone calls.
- Android 13 offers MEP support, although it’s not activated here. Dual SIM from one eSIM chip will be a key part of Android’s future.
- “High sensitivity” mode is now called “Screen protector mode”
eSIM MEP isn't enabled, boo! pic.twitter.com/VZF440QLlV
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) September 8, 2022
- If you’re using an on-device speech recognizer, a new “Languages & input” setting emerges.
- Animated transitions between split-screen windows.
- Android’s unified security centre is ready but must be activated manually. QPR1 beta 2 may give more people access.
- Enable unified search. Android 13 stable broke it, however prior betas worked.
eSIM MEP isn't enabled, boo! pic.twitter.com/VZF440QLlV
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) September 8, 2022
- Soon, Pixel phones’ settings will indicate battery health. Google won’t display percentages like iOS, but it will rate your battery from “great” to “bad” You can obtain warranty information in settings without going online.
- Hidden animations hint at Google’s future Pixel tablet and dock, as rumoured.
This release is for Pixel 4a and later devices. If you stayed in the Android 13 beta programme, you should get an OTA update soon. For those who can’t wait, Google has released the picture files to its downloads site.