Android: Google launches Android 14 Developer Preview with better support for foldables – Times of India

Google has announced Android 14‘s first Developer Preview for Pixel smartphones. While the company does not list details of the user-side changes, it does mention a better support for foldables, tablets and other large-screen devices.
“Android 14 continues our work to improve your productivity as developers, along with enhancements to performance, privacy, security, and user customization. This preview is just the beginning, and we’ll have lots more to share as we move through the release cycle,” Dave Burke, vice president of engineering at Google, said in a blog post.
Android 14 builds on Android 12L, Android 13
Google said that the new Android OS will build “on the work done in Android 12L and 13 to support tablets and foldable form factors.”
It lists some features, such as window size classes, sliding pane layout, Activity embedding, and box with constraints and more, that will help developers build apps that are optimised for different screen sizes.
Google also says that it has updated its app quality guidance in order to help streamline getting apps ready for large screens. The company will also provide additional learning opportunities around building for large screens and foldables.

Pixel tablet and Pixel folding phone
Google’s focus on tablets and folding smartphones doesn’t come as a surprise because there have been multiple reports about a Google Pixel foldable phone and the company has already announced a Pixel tablet for release in 2023.
Android 14 launch schedule
Android 14 schedule is pretty much similar to the Android 13. Google will release Developers Previews in February and March, with beta releases coming from April through June. Google expects platform stability in June and July with final release some time in August.
Android 14 Developer Preview availability
Google says that the developer preview is available for Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a 5G, Pixel 5, or Pixel 4a (5G). Those interested can flash a system image onto a Pixel smartphone from the list.