these are the new features

Until now, Android 13 consisted of Developer Preview versions, optimized for developers. Now the Android 13 Beta 1 has been released, where we immediately encounter some improvements.

Android 13 Beta 1

Google has moved from the Developer Preview versions to the Beta with Android 13. The first Android 13 Beta 1 will be made available from now on, of course first for the devices from the Pixel series. The focus of Android 13 is on privacy and security. Also, the support for tablets and foldable smartphones has been improved with this Android version. Also new is, for example, that applications can be set in another language separately from the system language, if the app offers support for this.

New in Android 13 is that applications need to be more specific if they want to access media files. Not all media files anymore; but from now on a distinction is made in, for example, gaining access to only your photos, music or only video files. For example, this will prevent a ringtone app from accessing your photos; something that is not possible at all. It is also possible to operate smart devices such as your lighting at home without having to unlock your phone first.

Thanks to Material You in Android 12, the color of the interface can be adjusted based on the set background. Android 13 adds three new color options for all four base themes, giving you a total of 16 color settings options. The media player has also been modified. According to Android Police, the media player shows a winding animation on the timeline of the played music, up to the dot. After that, it shows a straight line again, as shown in the screenshot below.

We expect four Android 13 beta versions to be released by Google. These appear in addition to these in April, also in May, June and July. The final version of Android 13 is expected in the fall. If you have a Pixel 4 or newer, you can participate in the beta program.