Android 14 on the Pixel: a lot of nice things

Just after its Made by Google event where the Pixel 8 smartphones and the Pixel Watch 2 were presented, Google also showed the latest version of its Android operating system. The new OS brings a ton of customization features, better camera support, easier password management, and much more.

Android 14 is available on Pixel phones today, starting with the Pixel 4A model. Support for other manufacturers is expected later in the year, the company says.

Perhaps the biggest novelty is the customization of the lock screen that allows users to choose different clock styles, fonts, widgets and formats, as well as an AI-powered wallpaper generator that allows you to have a totally unique wallpaper based on the text you type. It should be noted, however, that this last feature “comes first” on the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Of the AI in the lock screen

Your lock screen will also use AI to update itself according to your situation. For example, Google said, if the weather is about to get bad, your weather widget will get bigger to make sure you see it.

Custom shortcuts on the lock screen are also available and give the user the ability to set one-touch access to their most used commands, much like Apple’s action button.

On the security front, Google is touting the merits of better support for passkeys, which allows users to log in to more third-party applications using their fingerprint. Indeed, the new Credential Manager of Android brings together all the login methods, including passwords and the “Sign in with Google” function, and brings them together in one place.

Support for Ultra HDR

For image lovers (by the way, you should go for the new Google Pixel 8 Pro if you want a fantastic camera), Android 14 adds support for Ultra HDR — which helps your photos look their best by bringing out brighter colors and darker shadows.

For health-conscious people, the new version of Android takes care of your fitness, wellness and health information and keeps it in one easy-to-consult place: Health Connect. Previously, this information was stored in the application from which it came.

Accessibility was also a focus, with Android 14 adding a number of features for sight and hearing. According to Google, the magnifying glass will be more intuitive, with the ability to pinch and zoom. A new quick settings option also allows users to quickly change the font size and type, in order to improve readability.

On a visual level, it is now possible to activate flash notifications that cause the phone’s flashlight to flash when a notification is received. There is also new support for hearing aids, which should facilitate their installation, as well as better access to the routing of audio to different outputs.

Pixel users who want to upgrade to Android 14 should receive a notification in the coming days that it is time to update their device.

Source: “ZDNet.com “