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Google has released the second developer preview of Android 16, which includes new features, advanced system, and new tools for Pixel device developers. This preview, available for the Pixel 6 and newer models, is set to improve the user experience and give app developers more input on the device settings options.
The stable Android 16 release is said to be next year after extensive testing and developer feedback.
The second preview presents user-friendly improvements, such as a new shortcut for notes and biometric enhancements. A “Note-taking” new feature can be added to the lock screen so that users can access their favorite notes application immediately.
One of the most significant new features is the "Screen-off Fingerprint" feature. Users can also use an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication when the screen is off. This enhancement helps make using the device quicker and easier.
The update also changes the photo picker feature introduced in the first developer preview. It now features a cloud search, allowing users to search for media locally and independently in cloud storage.
Android 16 Developer Preview 2 includes several new features for app developers to enhance app performance. These features include haptic APIs allowing developers to customize vibration strength and frequency. These APIs abstract the differences between the device's capabilities, providing uniform haptic feedback on various platforms.
The update also improves controls for the adaptive refresh rate. Google has introduced methods such as hasArrSupport() and getSuggestedFrameRate(int) for developers. These features help the application match the intended platform-level support for refresh rate transition so that the transition in the apps will be smoother and better on the supported devices.
Health data integration benefits and Android’s Health Connect now boast the Activity Intensity metric. This addition extends the current Health Record feature, enabling developers to create more elaborate health-conscious apps.
Android 16 also has a redesigned battery icon when connected Bluetooth devices are in use and new animations that add more eye appeal. Similarly, fixes reported by early users are also addressed, further stabilizing the operating system.
Supported devices for this preview are limited only to Pixel 6 or newer models. However, developers also have access through Android Emulator. These improvements should make the Android experience generally smoother while also giving developers the capabilities needed to build leaner applications and cater better to the users. At the moment, Android is anticipated to have its major release in Q2 2025, with other releases in Q4.
