What's new in Android 16? First developer preview reveals features
What's the story
Google has unveiled the first preview release of Android 16, taking a major step in the development of its next big mobile OS.
The early version is now available for developers and brings improved photo library and medical data-sharing capabilities into apps.
The move comes after Google's recent decision to speed up Android's release schedule, possibly allowing third-party Android devices launching in 2025 to get updates without long delays.
Developer insights
Android 16 preview: A step toward more frequent API releases
Matthew McCullough, head of Android Developer, has said this release is just the beginning of more frequent API releases from Android.
He said, "This is the start of Android having more frequent API releases as part of our effort to drive faster innovation in apps and devices."
The preview lets developers integrate Android's photo picker - a feature to select specific images/videos for sharing - directly into their apps.
User experience
Enhanced privacy and seamless media sharing
The integration of the photo picker into apps is aimed at streamlining media sharing without requiring apps to access a user's entire device or cloud storage library.
The preview also includes an updated version of Privacy Sandbox, Google's ongoing project to replace Android's advertising ID.
These features are designed to enhance user privacy while improving the overall app experience on Android devices.
Health connectivity
Android 16 preview supports medical data sharing
The Android 16 preview also comes with a preliminary version of the Health Connect app, which supports health records.
Google said that the feature "allows apps to read and write medical records in FHIR format."
This could allow apps and medical devices to exchange information and medical records (with explicit consent from the user) in the same way wearables and fitness trackers do today.
Release timeline
Android 16's public release expected post-April 2025
According to Google's projected release schedule, the first public beta of Android 16 will be available in January 2025.
A final public release is expected sometime after April, probably around Google's annual I/O event where it announces its latest Android updates and product features.
This means you can expect to see these new features in your devices later next year.