Android 14 evaluate: There’s at all times subsequent yr

Does anyone care about Android 14?

This yr’s launch of the world’s hottest working system looks like one of many smallest ever, bringing only a handful of latest options. Even throughout the Android portion of Google’s large I/O keynote, Google spent most of its time exhibiting off a brand new generative AI function that creates wallpapers for you, as if there aren’t sufficient wallpapers on the earth.

Final yr’s Android 13 launch felt small, however that was as a result of it was the second main Android OS launch that yr. Android 12L—the large pill and foldable launch—got here out earlier. What’s Android 14’s excuse? We’re probably not positive. We nonetheless have a number of issues to go over, although, like new lock display customizations, genuinely thrilling modifications to the way in which the again button works, and a pile of under-the-hood modifications.

The brand new emblem

First up is a brand new emblem! Android’s final large rebranding occurred with Android 10, and just some years later, it is time for a brand new coat of paint. The wordmark is now capitalized, and the little Android “bugdroid” mascot, normally a disembodied head subsequent to the Android wordmark, is getting its physique again. The bugdroid is now absolutely rendered in 3D, and consistent with Google’s Materials Design pointers, it is available in quite a lot of colours and kinds. When you ask me, bugdroid in 3D appears to be like a bit pudgy.

Within the movies on Google’s redesign weblog put up, a “Google Android” emblem occupies the display for period of time. I’ve by no means seen these two manufacturers collectively as a single wordmark, and widespread utilization of it will actually be a change. Some individuals confuse the Android model with the “Android Open Supply Undertaking” and assume it is some form of free-to-use emblem, however Android is a trademark of Google, and you may’t use it except you license the Google Play apps. So “Google Android” is completely acceptable.

I’ve by no means truly seen the Android emblem anyplace on the earth exterior of tech information, so I am undecided who that is for. Even when you get a Pixel telephone, you will not see the Android emblem on the field or within the software program. The one spot to catch it in the actual world is in a tiny “powered by Android” message on the not often seen telephone boot display. It is like a branding system solely for Google weblog posts and commerce reveals.

The (considerably) customizable lock display

iOS 16’s headline function was its new lock display widgets, and it appears Android needs in on the motion, too. Android initially had lock display widgets again in 2012 with Android 4.2, however they have been eliminated just some years later in model 5.0. Lock display widgets are nonetheless not again in Android 14, however as a result of Google tries to maintain tempo with iOS, widgets are most likely a lock to look in Android 15 or 16.

What we’ve got in Android 14’s lock display is a selectable clock model and two shortcuts you may choose from. You’ll be able to long-press on the lock display, and a “customise” button will pop up, letting you choose from seven completely different clock kinds. You’ll be able to select the clock’s shade, and a shade slider allows you to alter issues additional. “Distinction” is not the proper phrase for the slider, however the left aspect is a calmly tinted almost-black, the proper aspect is a calmly tinted almost-white, and a full, wealthy shade is within the center someplace. There’s additionally a “dimension” setting for the clock, which determines if it kicks into full-screen mode when you haven’t any notifications or simply stays small on a regular basis.

You’ll be able to assign features to 2 left and proper shortcuts, however the choices are unusually restricted. You’ll be able to assign a button to the digital camera, a do-not-disturb toggle, the flashlight, the Google Dwelling app, Mute, the QR code scanner, the video digital camera, or Google Pockets. That is it—a bizarre seize bag of some fast settings toggles and one or two Google apps.

Nonetheless, it is nice to get an precise settings UI for the lock display shortcuts. Beforehand, controlling these shortcuts meant ticking one or two on/off switches within the show settings, which isn’t nice for one thing that would have a number of choices. It ought to simply be all of your apps and fast settings buttons—due to themed icons, there must be acceptable one-color choices for all of those now. Between this shortcut setting, the fast settings “edit” UI, and the app drawer/dwelling display, that is three “shortcut” UIs the place you choose a collection of objects from a giant bucket of icons. Google ought to simply choose one UI and roll with it in every single place.

Generally, although, the lock display choices really feel like a precursor to one thing extra sturdy, with app-supplied widgets.