Google has finally pushed Android 14 stable update for the Pixel phones and is also pushing the source to AOSP project. This comes after the Android 14 QPR1 was released a few weeks back. The update is rolling out to Pixel devices starting today, and will be available for more devices later this year.
Android 14 brings updated customization picker makes it easier to switch between wallpapers and update what you want to see at a glance. You can now set custom lock screen shortcuts, like QR reader or the Google Home app, so you have quick, one-tap access to your most used controls directly from your Android lock screen.
You can choose from a set of new, curated lock screen templates for fonts, widgets, colors and formats that best match your style. These options also use AI to adjust your screen based on your situation.
Coming first to Pixel 8/8 Pro, generative AI wallpapers use AI-generated text-to-image diffusion models will help you create wallpapers that match your vision. You can choose from pre-set suggestions to create never-before-seen wallpapers in just a few taps.
Android 14 also includes a monochromatic theme that makes minimal colors look sleek and beautiful across your entire device.
Android 14 supports HDR images with Ultra HDR. Ultra HDR helps your photos look their best by bringing out vibrant colors, brighter highlights and darker shadows, says Google. Since HDR screens are available on many of the phones, Ultra HDR takes and displays high-definition photos without altering the original quality of the image, the company added.
Health Connect is now built into your Android 14 settings as a central way to store all your data in one place and stay in control of your privacy. Google says that the data is securely encrypted on your phone, which ensures Google or anyone else can’t see or use it for any other purpose. You can connect and sync your favorite health and fitness apps — like Oura, Peloton and Whoop.
Android 14 includes new data sharing updates. When you’re asked to grant apps permission to information like your location, you’ll be notified when an app is sharing location data with third parties and can make a more informed decision on whether to grant access.
Digital protection on Android 14 also extends to your most sensitive information: your device’s personal identification numbers (PIN). Android 14 enhances PIN security by encouraging you to set a six-digit PIN. After typing in the correct 6-digit or longer PIN, you won’t need to hit enter anymore as your device will automatically unlock.
Android 14 comes with many vision-and hearing-inclusive features such as improved magnifier, with the ability to pinch to zoom in and out from 100%. You can also change the magnifier size in a new Magnifier Settings panel or customize how much of the screen you’d like magnified.
You can also change the font size of the text with Android 14’s font size Quick Settings tile and enjoy better readability with nonlinear font scaling, which enlarges larger font size at a slower rate than smaller font size.
Android 14 has more intuitive ways to connect and interact with hearing aids, such as a dedicated hearing-aid setup flow from Accessibility settings, an easy way to route audio to different outputs and the ability to quickly access hearing aids controls from a shortcut.
Android 14 also lets you turn on “Flash notifications” from the Accessibility and Notifications settings and get visual light flashes when you have incoming notifications.
How to get it?
Android 14 is now available for Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold through OTA update. If you are already on beta, you would have received and installed the beta of the next Android 14 quarterly platform release (QPR1) which has all the features. You can get it from Android developer website here manually.
Android 14 is coming to more devices
Google already confirmed that that update will also be available to iQOO, Lenovo, Nothing, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Tecno, vivo, and Xiaomi. Today, the list adds Samsung Galaxy, Sharp and Sony. These devices will get the update later this year.