Google is set to release the second beta of Android 14, which aims to fix bugs that developers and users encountered in the first beta. One of the new features is native support for 10-bit HDR images, which enhances the camera experience by providing richer and more vibrant colours. The Ultra HDR Image Format used by Google is fully compatible with JPEG images, allowing apps to display HDR images as SDR when needed.
In addition, Android 14 will support 10-bit compressed image capture and allow apps and extensions to handle longer processing times for improved low-light images. Extensions will also support tap-to-focus and zoom, and the post-view feature will provide less processed images faster. In-sensor zoom is also supported natively.
The Predictive Back gesture features in Android 14 are also receiving developer-side tweaks in Beta 2. The latest beta also adds support for lossless audio over USB, allowing users to connect to high-quality headphones and amps without any mixing, volume adjustment, or audio processing. Google is working with OEM partners to enable this feature on devices coming later this year.
Health Connect ↗ is another new feature coming to Android 14 as a built-in feature. It allows users to store and manage their health and fitness data and control how that data is shared between apps. Exercise route sharing will also be added to Health Connect. Android 14 will also introduce a new location data runtime permission dialogue, which will notify users every time an app wants to share their location data with third parties.
Users will also receive notifications if any apps with location permission change their data-sharing permissions. These features will be accessible within the device settings menu.
Android 14 is expected to reach platform stability with the Beta 3 release in June, after which two more beta releases will follow before the final commercial release.
