Last Updated on February 14, 2022 by Anu Joy
Google has released the first Developer Preview of Android 13, giving us a peek at its features. The preview is still rough around the edges and is now available for Pixel-users brave enough to try it out. The Developer build revealed various features such as a Material You theme for all app icons, a new Photo picker API, a Quick settings placement API, and more. However, one feature that almost slipped under the radar was the ability to release Bluetooth and Ultra-wideband features to users without relying on OEMs for software updates.
Here’s what Google’s blog has to say of the update:
We can now push new features like photo picker and OpenJDK 11 directly to users on older versions of Android through updates to existing modules. We’ve also added new modules, such as the Bluetooth and Ultra wideband modules, to further expand the scope of Android’s updatable core functionality.
Android 13 Adds Bluetooth And Ultra-Wideband Modules To Project Mainline
Google had announced that it has added Bluetooth and Ultra-wideband modules to its Mainline modules in Android 13. Project Mainline, also known as “Google Play System Updates,” was first introduced in Android 10 “to make core system components of Android more modular and updatable”, according to Ars Technica. Moreover, this would enable shipping core Android code through the Play Store just as easily as an app update. Project Mainline intends to make more parts of Android centrally distributed by Google. This means that all device manufacturers will have to agree on shipping the same block of code.
In simpler terms, the addition of Bluetooth and Ultra-wideband modules to its Mainline Project will ensure that new features added to these two stacks will reach you faster. You will not have to wait for your OEM to release timely software updates for the same.
Do note that the update is meant for developers and not for end users, so it would be wise for regular users to wait until Google releases a stable build for Android 13.
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