Introduction to Android 12
Released in October 2021, Android 12 marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the Android operating system. Initially available for the Pixel series, the update later rolled out to other mainstream devices like Samsung and OnePlus. This version is notable for its extensive redesign, focusing on a new design language called Material You.
Material You Design Language
Material You emphasizes personalization and customization. The system automatically generates a color palette based on the user's wallpaper. UI elements such as the status bar, navigation bar, and lock screen dynamically theme to match the wallpaper colors. This feature enhances visual appeal and provides a more personalized experience.
Privacy Enhancements
Privacy remains a core tenet of the Android operating system. Android 12 introduces several new features designed to protect user data.
Private Compute Core
Sensitive data is processed locally on the device rather than being sent to remote servers. This feature is particularly useful for apps requiring location data, allowing users to grant access to either an approximate or precise location without compromising privacy.
Location Permissions
A new pop-up notification system appears when an app requests location data. This notification includes an animation indicating whether the app requires an approximate or precise location. Users can choose to grant apps access to only the necessary level of location data, enhancing control over personal information.
New Features and Improvements
Android 12 is packed with a variety of new features and improvements catering to different aspects of the user experience.
Scrolling Screenshots
Capture entire web pages or long conversations by taking a screenshot and clicking the "Capture More" button. The resulting screenshot can be cropped and edited directly within the screenshot editor, making it easier to share or save content.
Enhanced Auto-Rotate
The auto-rotate feature now includes face detection. The system uses the front-facing camera to detect when the user is laying on their side and disables auto-rotate accordingly. This feature is particularly useful for users who read their phones in bed, preventing the screen from rotating and causing eye strain.
Improved Notifications
Notifications have received a subtle design update to better fit the new Material You aesthetics. Under-the-hood changes help apps launch faster when opening from a notification, making the overall notification experience smoother and more responsive.
One-Handed Mode
A one-handed mode allows users to use larger smartphones more comfortably by providing a smaller interface accessible with one hand. However, it requires gesture navigation, which might disappoint some users who prefer traditional navigation methods.
Quick Tap
Quick Tap, originally codenamed "Columbus," allows users to double-tap the back of their Pixel device to perform various actions such as activating the flashlight, launching an app, or taking a screenshot. This feature adds another layer of convenience and accessibility.
New Editor for Images
When sharing images, whether directly from a screenshot or from the gallery, a new editor allows users to add emojis, text, and even draw directly on the image before sharing it. This feature saves time and makes image editing more intuitive and user-friendly.
Adaptive Charging
Adaptive charging has been tuned to better manage battery lifespan. This feature slows down the charging speed between 80% and 100% to reduce wear and tear on the internal battery, thereby extending its lifespan.
Under-the-Hood Changes
Several under-the-hood changes aim to improve performance and efficiency.
Haptic Feedback
Native haptic feedback allows game developers to create more immersive gaming experiences by making the device vibrate in response to on-screen events. This feature is not limited to gaming and can also be used in other applications like movies or custom ringtones.
App Hibernation
App hibernation improves performance by putting unused apps into a dormant state. This reduces memory usage and helps maintain a smooth user experience by preventing unnecessary app activity in the background.
HEVC Media Transcoding
The ability to transcode HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) media into AVC (Advanced Video Coding) ensures that apps without HEVC support can still play HEVC-encoded videos without issues.
AVIF Image Support
AVIF (AV1 Image Format) is an image codec that promises the same quality as JPEG but uses less storage space. Supporting AVIF helps reduce storage requirements and improve overall device performance.
Multi-Channel Audio
Support for MPEG-H in passthrough and offload modes allows for up to 24 channels of audio. This feature enhances the audio experience by providing better support for multi-channel audio formats.
Optimizations for Large and Foldable Displays
Better support for large and foldable displays ensures that the operating system can effectively utilize the screen real estate of these devices. This includes improvements in picture-in-picture mode and universal splash screens.
Project Mainline Improvements
Project Mainline modularizes the Android operating system, allowing for easier updates and maintenance. Google announced that ART (Android Runtime) would be made available for update through the Play Store, along with other modules. This modular approach aims to improve the overall stability and security of the operating system.
Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs)
Android 12 follows a Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) cycle, where each quarter sees the release of new features and bug fixes. The first QPR was released in December 2021, followed by Android 12L in March 2022, which included API and behavior changes. The second QPR was notable for its API bump to level 32. The third QPR is expected to launch in June 2022, with a public beta program announced by Google to test these changes internally and externally before the next platform release.
