Google is rolling out the second public beta of Android 16 to eligible Pixel devices. This update brings several enhancements over the first beta, including media and camera improvements. It also features accessibility upgrades, along with performance and compatibility tweaks.
Android 16 Beta 2 is now available for Pixel 6 and newer smartphones, the Pixel Tablet, and the Android Emulator. Users enrolled in the Android Beta Program will receive the update via OTA.
The Android 16 Beta 2 update introduces several exciting new features and enhancements across various areas of the system. Notable updates include new camera features: hybrid auto exposure for better dynamic range and precise color temperature adjustments. Motion photo capture is now available, allowing users to capture short, dynamic photos, while support for Ultra HDR images in the HEIC file format further improves the quality of photos. Google is also actively working on adding AVIF support for Ultra HDR in future builds, which would expand the high-quality image formats available on the platform.
In addition to the camera updates, Android 16 Beta 2 brings new graphical capabilities with the introduction of custom graphical effects using the Android Graphics Shading Language (AGSL). This allows developers to implement complex visual effects like Threshold, Sepia, and Hue Saturation, offering greater creative control over image and graphic rendering. These effects can be applied to draw calls, enabling more customized and dynamic visual experiences in apps and games.
The update also includes several important changes aimed at improving user privacy, security, and system performance. One such change is the addition of more granular health and fitness permissions, offering users more control over which data they share with apps. Android 16 Beta 2 introduces enhanced security measures to protect users from Intent redirection attacks, offering improved security out of the box. The update includes an improved 16 KB page size compatibility mode, which now supports apps built for 4 KB memory pages. This enhancement ensures greater compatibility across a wider range of applications.
Beta 2 includes accessibility improvements, particularly benefiting TalkBack users. This makes Android 16 more accessible to a wider range of users, including those with visual impairments. Streaming apps also get a boost with dynamic video quality adjustments that optimize playback based on the device’s capabilities, offering a smoother viewing experience on various hardware.
Looking ahead, Google plans to release two more beta updates before Android 16 reaches platform stability in March. The final public release of Android 16 is expected in Q2, bringing these updates and improvements to a broader audience. Android 16 continues to receive a steady stream of enhancements. These improvements are making it a significant update for both users and developers.
