Android 16 Is Nearly Ready for Prime Time With the Release of Beta 3

Android 16 Beta 3 Reaches Platform Stability: Key Changes and Developer Preparations

The Android 16 Beta 3 release signifies Platform Stability, meaning APIs and user-facing features are finalized. A full release is expected within the next few months. While stability is the primary focus, several notable updates are included.

Key Features and Improvements in Android 16 Beta 3:

• Auracast Broadcast Audio Support (Pixel 9): Enhanced audio accessibility is achieved through Auracast support on Pixel 9 devices, enabling compatible hearing aids and earbuds to receive audio streams from public locations.

• Outline Text for Enhanced Contrast: Replacing high-contrast text, outline text improves readability for users with visual impairments by creating a larger contrasting border around text. New Accessibility Manager APIs allow apps to detect this mode's activation.

  

• Local Network Protection (LNP) for Testing: A new (future release) feature, LNP, provides users greater control over app access to local network devices. Currently in an opt-in testing phase, it will eventually require specific permissions for local network access.

Developer Preparations for Android 16:

Google strongly encourages developers to prepare for Android 16 to avoid compatibility issues. Key changes impacting developers include:

• JobScheduler: Stricter quota enforcement; setImportantWhileForeground is now a no-op; a new stop reason, STOP_REASON_TIMEOUT_ABANDONED, is introduced.

• Broadcasts: Ordered broadcasts with priorities now function only within the same process. Alternative IPC methods are needed for cross-process ordering.

• ART (Android Runtime): Thorough testing is crucial if using reflection, JNI, or other methods to access Android internals.

• Intents: Enhanced security against Intent redirection attacks requires testing and careful consideration of opting out of protections.

• 16KB Page Size: While a compatibility mode exists, migration to 16KB page size is recommended for optimal performance.

• Accessibility: announceForAccessibility is deprecated; use recommended alternatives.

• Bluetooth: Improved Bluetooth bond loss handling affects re-pairing processes.

Further changes impacting apps targeting Android 16 include user experience adjustments (removal of edge-to-edge opt-out, predictive back migration/opt-out, disabling elegant font APIs), core functionality optimizations (fixed-rate work scheduling), large screen device handling (orientation, resizability, and aspect ratio restrictions will be ignored), and health and fitness permission changes.

Android Release Roadmap for 2025:

Google plans two Android API releases in 2025: Android 16 (Q2 2025) and a minor Q4 2025 release focusing on updates, optimizations, and bug fixes.

Getting Started with Android 16 Beta 3:

To participate, enroll in the Android Beta Program, then check for updates through your device's settings ("System" > "System Update"). While generally stable, using Beta releases on primary devices is not recommended.

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