Google is preparing for the next big Android update that is apparently set to launch on October 4. This major update would bring improvements to foldable phones experience, which likely arrives ahead of the launch of the company’s rumored Pixel Fold smartphone.

According to an XDADevelopers report, the search engine giant’s Android 12 will be one of the biggest update to the Android platforms in years. Furthermore, the report added that additional information about its subsequent Android 12.1 update has also surfaced. This new update would also include enhancements to the foldable phone experience. The next release is Android 12 sc-v2, which XDA calls Android 12.1. In the recent Android 12 Developer Preview 2, XDA managed to uncover a hidden “taskbar” feature in the Pixel launcher.

This appears at the bottom of the screen where the navigation bar usually can be found. The UI in question showcases a handful of your frequently used applications and recently used apps as well. This taskbar was being developed for devices with large screens like tablets, which improves multitasking functionality that utilizes the bigger screen real estate. For those unaware, Google is rumored to launch the Pixel Fold later this year.

Keep in mind that this is just a speculation that the company is bringing the new feature specifically for the Pixel Fold. Although, one of the code changes implementing the new taskbar’s tutorial showcases in image of the feature in action. In the image, we can observe two different instanced of Chrome browser being used side by side. This is apparently still in testing and divides the foldable phone in half with a line in the middle for clear distinction.

RELATED:

• The Realme 4K Google TV Stick beats the Chromecast with Google TV with this singular feature
• Google’s foldable smartphone under Pixel lineup to reportedly launch this year
• Google Pixel Fold to launch later this year, as per new leak

The post Google Android 12.1 brings improved foldable phone experience ahead of Pixel Fold appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google has just released the final beta version of the Android 12 operating system and soon the company will officially release the stable version of the same. While the Android 12 stable version is yet to be rolled out, details about its successor have surfaced online.

It is being reported that the next version update for Android will be a minor update — Android 12.1. Further, the report adds that this new update should be rolled out pretty soon to the Pixel 6 series phones, once they get launched.

This is an interesting development given that Google has stopped releasing minor version updates for the Android operating system which are called point updates. The last point update was Android 8.1 Oreo and since then, there haven’t been point updates from Google for the Android operating system.

Developers are being advised by Google to update their apps to target API level 31, which is the framework API that Android 12 delivers. The API level for Android 11 is 30 while its processor was 29. So, it’s being bumped with every Android version update.

Now, folks at XDA-Developers spotted evidence within AOSP Gerrit that suggests API level 32 corresponding to Android 12 “sc-v2” and not Android 13 “T.” In a new code change, a Googler changes the API level that a new NDK API will be first made available from 32 to 33. The reason could be because “there are currently no planned NDK APIs in sc-v2-dev.”

It looks like Google will be releasing an interim update between Android 12 and Android 13, with a change in the user-visible version number, resulting in the Android 12.1 point release. There’s also a possibility that the new API level won’t be accompanied by a new version number and could be targeted at another form factor.

Android 12 update comes with a major visual overhaul but it appears that Google’s own Pixel phones will be the ones to experience the full redesign. One of the highlights is support for a theming system, a redesigned lock screen, and quick settings menu, along with a new widget system, new animations, new privacy settings, and more.

RELATED: 

• Google could be sued by the US Justice Department over digital ads business
• Google Pixel 3 series phones are getting bricked with “EDL” message
• OPPO ColorOS 12 based on Android 12 confirmed to launch in September
• WhatsApp will drop support for Android 4.0.3, iOS 9, KaiOS 2.5.0 on November 1

The post After Android 12, Google could release Android 12.1 version update instead of Android 13 appeared first on Gizmochina.