Google rolls out first public beta of Android 16 for Pixel, bringing full-screen app display on foldables, live updates, APV codec support, and more
On January 23, 2025, Google released the beta version of Android 16. The released beta version includes 'elimination of window size restrictions on tablets and foldable devices,' 'introduction of live updates,' and 'support for the
Android Developers Blog: The First Beta of Android 16
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/01/first-beta-android16.html
Android 16's first beta is here with major tablet improvements and iOS-like Live Updates
Android 16 public beta adds Google's limited take on live notifications - The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/23/24350182/android-16-first-public-beta-google-live-updates
◆ Removal of window size restrictions on tablets and foldable devices
Android 16 provides the framework and tools to ensure apps work seamlessly across all devices, regardless of display size or form factor. It removes restrictions on developers' ability to lock the size and orientation of their app windows, allowing apps to run full-screen on tablets and foldables, and freely resize for multitasking.
Gaming apps are exempt from these frameworks and tools, and app developers can opt out of them until the release of Android 17.
◆Introduction of live updates
'Live Update' allows users to monitor and quickly access important ongoing activities such as ride sharing, food delivery, and navigation. Similar features are available on the iPhone as well as the UI '
◆APV codec support
The APV codec is a codec developed by Samsung for use in high-quality video recording and post-production. The APV codec is characterized by its efficient editing workflow and support for multi-view video and auxiliary video while maintaining video quality for filmmaking and professional use.
In Android 16, Google will implement support for YUV422 and 10-bit encoding, as well as the APV 422-10 profile with target bitrates up to 2Gbps.
Google also added an API to the Android 16 beta that lets apps know when to switch the camera to night mode in low-light environments, as well as low-level support for rendering and measuring text vertically, and a 'predictive back animation' when swiping back on the display.
The devices that can install this public beta are Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Users who have registered for the beta program will be provided with the corresponding update.
The future plan is to enter the 'Platform Stability' period in March 2025 to check the final compatibility, and to check the operation of the final SDK and NDK APIs, internal APIs, and app-oriented systems. After several months of testing, Android 16 is expected to be officially released around the second quarter of 2025.
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