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Seemingly out of nowhere, Google has seeded the primary developer preview construct of its upcoming Android 16 replace. Usually, these previews do not come out till early within the new 12 months, making for a novel growth cycle this time round.

Whereas this preview construct is primarily meant for builders, it is attainable for anybody to obtain and set up it onto Pixel 6 collection and newer units. Except you understand what you are moving into, I might advise on holding off for now — down the road, beta builds can be out there, that are typically way more secure.

Within the meantime, here is what’s new in Android 16 Developer Preview 1, and why these additions and enhancements are important.

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1 Say hey to Baklava

No, the following model of Android does not begin with a ‘W’

Google / Pocket-lint

We now have official affirmation that Android 16’s code identify is Baklava. Google has a storied historical past with regards to dessert-named software program releases, with final 12 months’s Android 15 being recognized internally as Vanilla Ice Cream. Usually, Google comes up with these names in alphabetical order, which makes Baklava an unlikely alternative. For these unaware, Baklava is a pastry dessert manufactured from filo, which is widespread in Jap European and Close to Jap delicacies.

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2 Notification cooldown is again as soon as once more

This one is a significant quality-of-life enchancment

For those who’ve ever turned on an older smartphone earlier than, you have most likely skilled the next inevitability: a bombardment of outdated notifications. The brand new notification cooldown characteristic takes goal at this downside, by routinely reducing the quantity of incoming alerts.

When enabled, the characteristic is triggered particularly when quite a few notifications are available in on the identical time. As somebody who switches between handsets regularly, this can be a very welcome addition. It was beforehand in testing in Android 15, and I am glad to see it again on this newest construct of Google’s working system.

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3 Audio sharing has lastly arrived

It is the digital equal of these old-school headphone splitters

Audio sharing is a brand new characteristic designed to permit simple multi-user playback of audio content material. For compatibility, each customers want Bluetooth Low Vitality (LE) compliant headphones. As soon as enabled, audio sharing ought to work not not like these old-school headphone splitter peripherals that many people grew up with. You and a pal can concurrently take heed to the identical music, podcast, or audiobook, and might achieve this utilizing your individual pair of headphones and a single host system. For what it is value, Apple has launched its personal model of this identical characteristic, which works with the corporate’s AirPods merchandise.

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4 The Settings app has obtained a (minor) facelift

Every part is laid out inside categorized bubbles now

With this primary developer preview construct, Google has tweaked Android’s primary Settings app interface, however solely in probably the most minor of the way. The corporate has segmented top-level settings based mostly on commonality, which roughly aligns with how different working methods handle issues. Personally, I do not know if I am a fan of this redesign. As minor as it’s, I discover myself preferring the minimalism of the earlier rendition. In fact, with time, I think about this new design will develop on me.

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