We’re entering the final months of 2023, which means it’s time for your smartphone operating systems to update. Apple has already done its thing with the release ofiOS 17, which is now making its way into iPhones both new and old. And in case you’ve been living under a rock, the next version of Android, Android 14, has also been coming for some time. Now, with the release of the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro, the company has now finally released the final, consumer-ready version of Android 14.
Android 14 has been finally pushed out of beta and released for the general public. This means that, for Pixel users at least, you should expect to get the newest version of Android sometime within the next few weeks. Android 14 has also been open-sourced and uploaded to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). Android device makers now have access to the newest Android version and can now port it to their phones, tablets, and other products. Also, third-party developers can also look through it and make custom ROMs based on Android 14.
Android 14 comes with several notable improvements and features. One significant addition is emergency satellite communication, allowing users to connect directly to satellites without Wi-Fi or data, but that requires the phone to include the required hardware. The Android share menu, often criticized, might become independently updatable, enabling more frequent and easier updates. Android is also adapting to various screen sizes, crucial for foldable devices, with updated app quality checklists and layouts. Regional Preferences will allow users to set weather units, calendar formats, and numbers based on their preferences.
Other additions include the ability to uninstall background-installed bloatware, enhancing user control. Android 14 also incorporates passkey support and offers iOS-like photo permission controls, allowing users to grant selective access to photos. For a full list of features, you should check out ourmain roundup about Android 14.
Android 14 is coming out-of-the-box with the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and like we said, it’s set to make its way to older phones soon as well. As far as other smartphones go, it’s up to the phone’s manufacturer — we expect companies such as Samsung and OnePlus to release their stable updates within the next few months, followed by other smartphone makers. Some smartphones might take up to a year, if not more.
