Android 12 will be significantly updated to a platform with a new design language and notifications. We are also focusing more on privacy and security.
Google has also focused on personalization and integration of Android 12 with other devices to improve user experience.
This time, let's take a look at the major new features of Android 12 that will eventually be installed on your smartphone.
"Material You"
Google calls Android 12 "the biggest design change in Android history" and introduces a new design language "Material You".
"Material You" is a new design language that uses many colors and bold new design elements to provide a whole new design.
This new design language, Material You, will be introduced to other Google services next year.
Wallpaper-based theme engine
To improve personalization, Google has introduced a new theme-based color extraction engine for Android 12.
The OS automatically extracts the color from the wallpaper and uses it for the entire system, including notification shades, lock screens, widgets, and volume controls.
New system animation
In line with the new design language "Material You," Google has also introduced new system animations and motions to Android 12. Some improvements in core system services have improved performance, response, and battery efficiency.
According to Google, system service CPU time has often been reduced by up to 22%. Also, the use of CPU cores, which use a large amount of power, has decreased by about 15%.
Improved widget
Google has also made significant improvements to its widgets on Android 12. For a unified design, all widgets will have rounded and flat icons.
It also supports dynamic coloring with a theme engine based on the new wallpaper.
The widget API has also become more powerful, allowing developers to create widgets with dynamic controls such as checkboxes, radio buttons and switches.
Android 12 also introduces a new conversation widget that makes it easier to communicate with family and friends.
New design notice
As part of the new design language Material You, Google has redesigned its most commonly used systems, including notification shades, quick settings panels, and power menus.
The notification shade overlays multiple notifications from the same app for a cleaner look.
The Android 12 quick settings panel also displays the Google Home controller and Google Pay, making it quick and easy to manage your smart home device.
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New "Privacy Dashboard"
As part of its new privacy focus, Google has added a "Privacy Dashboard" to Android 12 so you can see all your permission settings at a glance.
You can also tap a specific setting to see the timeline of the apps installed on your smartphone within 24 hours.
You can also use the "Privacy Dashboard" to revoke permissions for installed apps.
Camera and microphone access display
Inspired by Apple's iOS 14, Google has added a camera and microphone access display to the Android 12 status bar.
This means that whenever the app is accessing the device's camera or microphone, you'll see an icon associated with the status bar. This is useful if a malicious app tries to sneak into your phone's camera or microphone in the background.
In addition, Google has introduced camera and microphone tiles on Android 12. By tapping the tile, you can disable any app on your device from using your camera or microphone at all.
Compatible with car digital keys
Google also supports car digital keys on Android 12. This will automatically unlock the car without having to remove your smartphone from your pocket when you approach the car.
You can also start your car from a distance or share your car's digital keys with friends and family to temporarily use your car.
This function uses a technology called UWB (Ultra Wideband), which is basically compatible with Pixel and Samsung terminals and can be used with a limited number of BMWs.
Approximate location information
Another major privacy new feature in Android 12 is the sharing of approximate location information in the app. Currently, when Android apps ask for location information, they must share accurate location information.
Android 12 introduces the option of sharing your approximate location in such cases. Most apps can work without knowing the exact location, which greatly improves your privacy.
As Google itself points out, the weather app doesn't need accurate location information to display weather information. It works fine with only approximate location information.
Pause the app
Google has introduced a feature on Android 11 that automatically revoke permissions for apps that haven't been used in the last 14 days.
Based on that feature, Android 12 introduced "App Hibernation", which automatically hibernates unused apps to save storage space and optimize device resources.
You do not need to access the internet when trying to launch a hibernate app. Just start it and it will recover from hibernation.
Quick access to Google Assistant
With Android 12, the Google Assistant is even easier to access. Simply press and hold the power button on a device running Android 12 to launch the Google Assistant.
Android TV integration
With Android 12, the remote control function of Android TV is integrated into the OS itself, making it even easier to operate Android TV.
This will allow you to use your smartphone to enter text on your Android TV and use your smartphone's microphone to search for movies and TV shows on your Android TV. This feature will be available on Android 11 later this year.
Android 12 packed with big changes
Looking at the feature list above, Android 12 is a major OS update in almost every respect. The beta version of Android 12 is already distributed, so you can try Android 12 now on any compatible device.
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Original Article: The Best New Features in Android 12 by MakeUseOf