Some people haven’t even got the Android 11 update and developers are talking about android 12 features. The latest android version is available as a developer preview and only advanced users have access to it. Installing the Android 12 developer beta isn’t for everyone.
The beta update is full of bugs and issues. Google always adds more features to the release as we get closer to the public beta in May and the final release of 12 later in 2021. But still, it’s always fun to talk about some of the new features in the current build of Android 12.
Android 12 Beta Features
We start off with new addition to gesture controls. Google is taking a leaf out of Apple’s book of double-tap commands. iPhone has a feature that lets you tap on the back of the phone a set number of times to trigger an action of your choosing.
In android 12 you can test this feature by going to Settings > System > Gestures > Double tap and turn it on. Once enabled, you’ll see a list of actions that you can perform. Tasks include taking a screenshot, playing and pausing media, or opening Google Assistant easily.
One Handed Mode
Using a phone single-handed with a screen size over 6 inches can be tough. Thankfully in Android 12’s second developer preview, there’s a new one-handed mode. Turn it on by going to Settings > System > Gestures > One-Handed Mode and slide the switch to the On position.
To use it, swipe down on the bar that’s at the bottom of your phone’s screen. Doing so will pull the interface down to the middle of your display, putting whatever’s at the top of your screen within reach.
You will have an active SOS feature
Quickly call for help by pressing your phone’s power button five times. A countdown alarm will then play before your phone calls your local emergency number. Emergency SOS is turned on by default after you turn on the phone. You can view the settings by opening the Settings app and going to Safety & Emergency > Emergency SOS.
Improved app privacy
Google is adding several new privacy features to apps to give users more transparency and control. According to the Android Developers blog post, one update gives you more information about how cookies can be used across sites. While another changes how apps export information to prevent them from accidentally exporting activities, services, and receivers.
Comparatively in Apple’s recent iOS software release, which includes new app “nutrition labels” that tell people what personal data their apps are collecting, and an upcoming change that requires developers to ask people for permission to gather data and track them across apps and websites.