Google has started providing the beta 3 version of Android 13 for Pixel devices, which has reached the stage of platform stability. This achievement means that Android 13 has reached the final internal and external APIs, and the final behaviors facing the application.
The announcement is an indication that Google has finished major updates, and that everything that happens between now and the final release is about putting the finishing touches.
The new version of the operating system also reached this milestone a full two months before Android 12, which was a more ambitious update that reached device owners with a lot of bugs.
And while Android 12 revolved around introducing some major new customization options in the form of Material You, Android 13 is a smaller update that expands these features through the shape of app icon themes and previously defined UI color options.
This comes after the search giant at I/O 2022 released the beta 2 version of the operating system. The update introduced noteworthy features.
Developers of applications, games, SDK, library, and game engines can now use the platform stability phase as a target for planning final compatibility testing and public release to ensure that compatibility updates are ready before the final release.
Google urges developers with Beta 3 to test application compatibility. With Android 13 now in the stable stage of the platform, app developers must test their apps for compatibility in time for the final release. This is so that they have time to make any required updates before the stable version of the operating system is released.
Google also highlighted some changes that app developers should keep an eye on while testing their apps via beta 3 such as runtime permission for notifications and clipboard preview.
Android 13 reaches the stage of platform stability with the release of Beta 3
After testing and deploying an updated version of the app, the company is also urging developers to start the process of updating the target SDK version of their app, review behavioral changes for apps targeting Android 13, and use the compatibility framework to spot any issues.
Google highlighted a set of changes that developers should test if their apps target API level 33 or higher:
- Permission of the device adjacent to the wireless network.
- Permission changes for body sensors.
Google also highlighted that developers should include tablets and other large-screen devices as part of their tests.
Developers can test improvements for large screen devices by setting up an Android emulator in the Android development environment. They can also do so using a compatible device with a large screen.
Here are some changes that developers should watch out for during tests:
- Taskbar interaction.
- Multi window mode.
- Enhanced compatibility experience.
- Camera preview.
Google's post does not highlight any user-facing changes in beta 3. However, it is possible that the release will include some undocumented changes.
The company is releasing this update for the Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, and Pixel 5 devices. As well as the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4 devices.
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- Agencies