Following the Google Pixel Feature Drop update and Android 13 QPR2 Beta 1 update with new features and bug fixes last month, the company has begun sending the first Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 (Quarterly Platform Release) update to compatible pixel devices.
The January 2023 security updates are included in Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2 (T2B2.221216.006) along with bug fixes and optimizations to performance and stability.
Here are Android 13 QPR2 Beta 2’s official changelogs, along with the changes shared by Mishaal Rahman of Esper.io:
The taskbar tutorial is being updated to reflect the new “transient taskbar”. The “transient taskbar” design is also live – no need for root. pic.twitter.com/KOFAYd9vNU
— Mishaal Rahman (@MishaalRahman) January 9, 2023
- Transient taskbar: A new “transient taskbar” is being incorporated into the taskbar tutorial. Without root access, the “transient taskbar” design is also operational.
- Emoji addition: Unicode 15 emojis have been added.
- Dock defender: When the battery hits a certain level (likely 80%), charging will stop when you dock the Pixel Tablet. The “dock defender” capability expands on the “battery defender” (Adaptive Charging) functionality of the Pixel. You can briefly get around this by charging the tablet.
- Shortcuts: As a part of this update, Android now supports displaying a “Shortcuts” tab in Settings > Display > Lock screen, allowing you to modify the shortcuts on the lock screen. Although, this isn’t visible yet in QPR2 Beta 2 for pixel devices.
- Screenshots in work profile folder: Your screenshots of apps that are open in your work profile will be kept in the work profile’s screenshots folder rather than the personal profile’s.
- Control devices from Lock screen: If the app supports it, Android 13 allows you to control your smart home appliances from the lock screen, but you need to toggle “display device controls” in Settings > Display > Lock screen.
- Generate themed icons: Google is testing the ability to create customized icons for “ANY” app; however, this feature is currently turned off by default.
- Spatial audio: A new shared library on the Pixel 7 called aoc_audio_stereo_spatializer is likely to enable spatial audio via the stereo speakers of the device.
- Partial screen sharing: You can access the “app selector” interface from the “Start Recording” button, and the feature is accessible.
- Transfer an eSIM profile: It could eventually be possible to transfer an eSIM profile from an old Android phone to a new phone, or convert a physical SIM card profile to an eSIM profile. Transferring profiles will be supported in Google’s SIM Manager app on Pixel and many GMS devices.
- Android Stylus: For “Android Stylus,” a new key layout file has been added. He claims that although it is now assigned to a “arbitrary keycode for testing and development,” it may eventually be assigned to the new “notetaking” feature, which launches Google Keep in a floating window or bubble.
How to get it?
Users can enroll in the Beta Program for your supported device to see these changes before they’re released. If you were in the Android 13 beta, you should still get QPR updates.
By enrolling, users can give developers feedback and identify QPR release issues. For those who can’t wait, Google has uploaded the image files to its downloads site here.
Availability
Devices that are compatible with the update include the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5G, Pixel 6 (6, 6 Pro and 6a) and Pixel 7 series.