What’s New on Android 13? Is It Good? All Answers About Android 13 Are Here

Android, one of the popular OS (Operating System) consistently provides updates every year. The latest android version currently is android 13. Probably, you will use android 13 if you buy a smartphone this year. So, it's good for you to check this first.

January 2023, we're almost all the way through. Many gadgets and smartphones from various brands have been released in the first month of 2023. One of the most anticipated arrivals every year is the android smartphone. Undeniably, android is one of the most popular OS (Operating System) today for the smartphone segment. In the end of 2022, android has a market share of 72% for smartphones and other portable devices, and the rest is iOS.

There are many reasons that make android so popular and preferred by many people, some of them are:

Customization: Android phones offer a high degree of personalization options, allowing users to personalize their device to their preferences. This includes changing the home screen and button layout, applying custom themes, create a shortcut or other function, installing and adding various apps and types of widgets, and many more.
Wide range of devices: There are a wide range of Android devices available at different price points. However, it can simply be divided into low-end (entry level), low-mid, mid-high, and a flagship. This means that there is an Android device that can meet the needs and budget of almost any user.
Large app ecosystem: Android has an official app store called Google Play Store, which contains various apps, games, books, movies, music, and TV shows. To buy paid content or applications, it is relatively easy. It can be done by paying using a Google Play Card, where the balance can be filled by buying vouchers at the nearest supermarket or minimarket, can also be via e-wallet and credit or debit card owned.
Open-source: Android is an open-source platform, which means that it is freely available for any manufacturer to use and customize for their devices. As a result, there is MIUI from Xiaomi, Color OS from Oppo, Funtouch OS from Vivo, One UI from Samsung, and many more.
Easy to use: Android's user interface is created to be user-friendly and easy to use, with a simple navigation and clear icons.
Google integration: Android devices come with a built-in or pre-installed Google services which will allow users to easily access these services and synchronize their data across multiple devices.
Regular updates: Google releases regular updates to the Android operating system, which includes new features and security improvements.

At the end of 2022, or more precisely on August 15, 2022, Google released the latest version of Android, namely Android 13. If you are considering to buy an android phone this year, then you will most likely get a phone with an android 13 OS. Therefore, let's discuss some of the new features on android with this tiramisu code name.

Design

The design on android 13 has not changed much compared to the previous version (android 12). It still carries the “Material You” design, but with some improvements such as:

More color theme options. Available with six new palettes relating to specific colors or complementary colors.
Auto-theme specific icons. This will change the preferred apps icon color to match with the theme (wallpaper color), sadly, it for pixel only.
New clock style for lock screen (default android 12 has only 1 style of clock for lock screen).
New style for the “now playing” notification. The Album art now covers the entire widget background and the controls has been altered slightly.

Functionality

Some of the utilities introduced are:

Improve QR scanner support for simplicity in use. A quick toggle to launch a simple QR scanner is now provided in the notification tray.
Native Bluetooth LE Audio support. It has a built-in support for Bluetooth LE Audio and the Low Complexity Communications Codec (LC3) aligned with the rise of True Wireless Stereo (TWS) lately. It allows lower power usage and improved audio quality across supported devices.
Redesigned audio output selector. It will allow users to switch to a new output system much easier, also it aesthetically better and match the material you scheme.
Per-app language toggles. It will allow users to set specific languages for specific apps, separate from the system setting.
Redesigned clipboard features. There will appear a floating menu that displays some of the text you copied or cut, and the pencil icon to quick edit the text.
Better smart home controls. There is a toggle provided to set when the smart home control can be accessed (locked or unlocked phone only) to save user privacy and security.
New reading mode. It now has control to adjust the contrast, font type and size, and a speed adjustment for text-to-speech.
Digital car keys. This will allow users to lock and unlock, or switch on their vehicles with their phones.

Privacy and security updates

Some changes to this important part are:

New privacy and security hub. Managing privacy and security features now much easier (Initially a Pixel’s exclusive, but will be available on other Android devices).
Private photo picker. Inspired by the document picker, now the photo picker only has access to the ones you select.
Notifications permissions. Now you need to give apps permission to allow them to send a notification.
Integrated Fast Pair. It allows you to quickly pair your phone to any accessories by automatically detecting the presence of them and prompting you to establish a connection instead of manual setup.

You can also see and check more details on the official android website at https://www.android.com/android-13/#a13-personal

Image by unsplash

121