Little by little, Google is advancing in the development of Android 12. After Android 12 Developer Preview 1 and the updated Developer Preview 2, Google has now released the next developer preview for Pixel smartphones, one month before the Google I/O.
The new Android 12 Developer Preview 3 gives a look at numerous new features and fixes bugs. Again, in addition to the obligatory bug fixes and optimizations, Google also provides smaller new features and adjustments that should be tried out with regard to Android 12.
- Faster machine learning
- Standardizing GPU compute
- Video encoding improvements
- Improved app launch experience
- Quad bayer camera sensor support
- More-flexible backup configurations
- Better debugging for native crashes
- New permission for exact alarms
- New call notification template
- Camera2 vendor extensions
- Rich haptic experiences
- Improved web linking
This time, Google would like to have put its main focus on a better “user experience” and increased stability of the apps. Compatibility tests for the different APIs, libraries, and toolkits should make it easier for developers to adapt their apps for Android 12.
The third developer preview of Android 12, with its manual installation routine, is also clearly aimed at developers and experienced users. But if you already have an earlier Android 12 preview running, you can perform an OTA update.
Developers can install the Android 12 Developer Preview 3 on the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 and see the changes to the operating system and their effects in test combination with your apps.
According to the new developer preview, the first public beta version of Android 12 will follow in May 2021. It is likely that Google will present them at the virtual Google I/O, which will take place from May 18-20, 2021. Platform stability is to be achieved in August 2021.
