The latest Android OS update, Android 13, has finally been released to the public. Whether you use your Android smartphone for basic calls and texting, or you are a power user who enjoys gaming on platforms like https://vulkanvegas.com/ca, there’s plenty to get you excited about the OS upgrade.
It’s worth pointing out that Apple’s iOS, the direct Android competitor, already launched iOS 16, which features some significant updates. This time around, however, unlike iOS, Android decided to go the modest way. Instead of bringing forth massive changes, the thirteenth major release of Google’s Android OS was focused on building on what its predecessor Android 12, had started. So, here’s a quick highlight of the top-five most impressive features you’ll find in Android 13.
The Material You Update
While the Material You feature was initially unveiled in Android 12 to revamp how you could specifically customize your device, Android 13 has further souped up the feature with a few more tricks. The Material You theming feature in Android 13 now allows you to customize your apps so that they can align with the appearance of your wallpaper.
Additionally, the latest version offers more colour blends than before to allow the exploration of more customization designs. However, the Material You feature is limited to the Google Apps on your phone, along with around 20 other apps. Of course, support across a broader range of applications is expected as the Android 13 user base expands.
Multi-Language Support in Apps
You can now pick out specific languages to be used in specific apps, thanks to Android 13. This means that you may set your Android phone language to English, for instance, while your banking app is in French, or your reading app is in German. Multilingual support will particularly come in handy if you are multilingual or reside in a multilingual country where some services could be offered in a different language.
Braille Support
Visually impaired users will absolutely love the Braille Support feature by Android 13. The component has been integrated by default and will support visually impaired users who will not be able to read and sense their screens. Regrettably, no Android update to date had featured this update, and visually impaired users would have previously needed to download and use the Braille backup app.
Media Player Update
A media player is one of the most vital apps for our smartphones, especially in an age where the consumption of video and audio content has increased. As such, Android 13 had to up its media player game to offer users more options to streamline user experience when playing media.
For starters, the media player that comes with the Android 13 features more personalized characteristics. It is tailored to reflect the feel and sounds of the podcast or the music you are listening to, creating a sense of increased immersion as you use the app. And in case you were wondering, the Material You update also features in the latest media player update.
Better Notifications Control
Another critical update in Android 13 is the fact that the operating system respects your privacy a lot more with a selection of new privacy settings that give your back some control. So, for instance, if you are tired of tons of notifications from apps popping up on your screen or you just don’t want anyone to snoop on your messages, Android 13 has you covered.
While there has always been a way to restrict the said notifications, Android 13 lets you deal with the tyranny of notifications from the get-go. This time, you can allow or limit notifications when installing an app for the first time. So, breathe a sigh of relief, as the annoying tyranny of notifications will no longer bombard you.
It Doesn’t End There…
The overall changes coming with Android 13 may be subtle, but they indeed make using the OS much more pleasant and secure. Besides what we’ve discussed above, some of the other interesting Android 13 features you should know about include:
- A more immersive headphone listening experience thanks to the head tracking feature that tracks the source of the sound.
- Improved cross-compatibility with Chrome Book devices.
- The Bedtime Mode has been further customized, allowing you to dim your wallpaper and any super bright themes to set you in the mood for bed.
- Introduction of a faster cross-device, copy and paste functionality.
How to Start Enjoying Android 13
If you want to experience the range of impressive new features today, having Google’s own Pixel smartphone is your best bet to get a feel of the latest Android OS. Provided you have any model of the Google Pixel 4, 5 or 6 smartphones, simply check for a system update in the settings menu, and if available, download it right away!
If you are using any other Android-powered devices, you will have to wait until the device manufacturer officially rolls out the update.