Android 14 is at present rolling out for supported smartphones and tablets. It brings quite a lot of new options and enhancements that make your gadget sooner and extra intuitive. We’ve got taken the freedom of curating a number of the greatest new options that it is best to check out in your Android 14 gadget.
Auto Affirm Unlock
One of the vital handy options of Android 14 is the auto verify unlock. This characteristic means that you can unlock your telephone with out having to faucet Enter to verify. Android cautions that its barely much less safe, however I’ve to confess that it makes unlocking my telephone sooner and extra handy.
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Nonetheless, this characteristic solely works if you happen to use a PIN or passcode that’s six digits or longer. It is because shorter PINs or passcodes are much less safe and might be simply guessed by hackers. And so is ‘123456’ if in any respect you suppose it’s safer simply because it’s 6 digits.
To allow this Auto Affirm Unlock, simply head to Settings > Safety and Privateness > System Unlock > Display Unlock. Enter not less than a six-digit code after which toggle Auto Affirm Appropriate PIN.
Lock display screen clocks
One other new characteristic of Android 14 is the flexibility to vary the lock display screen clock to one in all eight preset types. You may select from various kinds of clocks, corresponding to a digital and analog clock faces in numerous font types. You too can customise the colour and dimension of the clocks to fit your desire. Naturally, completely different OEM present extra tweaks and options, however Pixel customers haven’t been capable of do any of this. A lot because it’s child steps, it’s kind of a welcome characteristic.
To vary the lock display screen clock, faucet in your telephone to wake it up after which lengthy press any spot on the display screen. This can show a setting to ‘customise lock display screen’. Faucet on it after which unlock your telephone to proceed.
Lock display screen Toggles
Android 14 additionally allows you to entry some fast settings out of your lock display screen, corresponding to flashlight, don’t disturb, airplane mode, and extra. You too can add your individual customized toggles by utilizing the Lock display screen Toggles app for simple entry.
I counted 6 shortcuts together with [none] if you happen to don’t want to use this characteristic. These embody Digicam, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, House, Mute and QR code scanner. And in contrast to Android 13 and under, you now must lengthy press the shortcuts to make use of them. A single faucet will make the shortcuts wiggle and you’ll obtain some haptic suggestions to point that you’ll want to lengthy press to make use of the shortcuts.
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So as to add or take away lock display screen toggles, simply go to Settings > Show > Lock Display > Shortcuts. You may drag and drop the toggles you need or don’t need, solely that you just solely get two (the left shortcut and the appropriate shortcut).
Predictive Again animations
With the predictive again gesture, you’ll be able to see a glimpse of the earlier process that may seem whenever you swipe to return. This fashion, you’ll be able to know if the again gesture will carry you again to the house display screen, to an earlier web page within the app, or to a special app altogether, so there gained’t be any confusion about what’ll occur whenever you use the again gesture.
Nonetheless, this characteristic solely works with gesture navigation, which is the default navigation mode on Android 14 units. In case you use the normal three-button navigation (again, dwelling, current), you gained’t see this characteristic. Additionally, this characteristic solely works with apps which were up to date to assist it. (principally settings for now).
To allow this characteristic, simply go to Settings > System > Developer Choices > Predictive Again Animations. It goes with out saying that you need to allow developer choices earlier than you will get there.
Charging animation
Android 14 additionally brings a brand new animation whenever you plug in your charger to your pixel telephone. It’s a small characteristic however aesthetic however. When placing your gadget to cost, the battery indicator now turns right into a small tablet icon for a second or two. It minimizes and disappears nearly as shortly because it seems. We observed although that you could solely see it whenever you plug in your telephone whereas it’s unlocked.
Pin Entry Animations
Android 14 additionally introduces a brand new characteristic for the pin entry animations. As an alternative of seeing the numbers pop up and disappear or the circles refill as you enter your PIN or password to unlock your telephone, you’ll now see completely different Materials You icons animate on the display screen. It’s extra aesthetic than something, actually.
Flash Notifications
One of the vital helpful options of Android 14 is flash notifications. This characteristic allows you to use your digital camera flash as a notification mild.
Flash notifications are particularly helpful for individuals who have listening to impairments or who need to get notified in silent mode. They’re additionally a good way to remain alerted whenever you’re in a loud surroundings, corresponding to a live performance or a crowded celebration.
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To allow flash notifications, go to Settings > Notifications > Flash notifications. You too can select to activate Display flash when a notification has come by way of. You even have 12 colours to select from. Personally, I discover this higher than a flash notification.
Drag & Drop Copy/Paste
This characteristic allows you to copy and paste textual content by dragging and dropping it throughout apps. All you need to do is to pick the content material you need to copy and drag it to a different app by utilizing your different finger to swipe and navigate to the opposite app. You too can drag content material from one app to a different app in split-screen mode or in picture-in-picture mode.
I’ll admit that this isn’t a characteristic I’ll use usually. There’s nothing unsuitable with good outdated copy and paste. And it’s not as awkward to make use of as drag and drop.
Whereas lots of Android 14’s options is probably not as flashy as earlier upgrades, they’re simply as vital. They make Android 14 a extra user-friendly working system within the ways in which depend.
Along with the options talked about above, others are beneath the hood and require a little bit of digging to expertise. A few of these options embody improved share choices will make it simpler to share content material together with your family and friends, Well being Join integration to mean you can observe your well being and health information extra simply.
There are additionally enhanced safety features to maintain your gadget and information secure, corresponding to limiting blanket app entry to your pictures and movies to provide you extra management over your privateness. In accessibility, you now have bigger fonts and non-linear scaling as much as 200% which can make Android 14 extra accessible to customers with imaginative and prescient impairments
I’ve additionally famous the improved battery life after charging to 80% and going a whole day with no need to cost.
Total, Android 14 is a major improve to the Android working system in delicate methods.
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