Developers can already check out a very early version of Android 16. — Photography FreshSplash/Getty Images/AFP Relaxnews
Google has launched a first test version of Android 16, aimed at developers. It introduces several noteworthy new features, notably in the fields of music and health.
While Android 15 is just starting to roll out, Google is already offering some insight into what's in store with Android 16 by releasing a preview version of the OS for developers. This Developer Preview is not yet stable and is available only on Pixel smartphones.
The main new feature concerns Bluetooth audio sharing, a feature that has been reportedly coming for some time. Now, it's finally here, and Android 16 will make it possible to simultaneously stream the same music to different devices. Note, however, that only owners of Bluetooth LE Audio-compatible smartphones and peripherals (speakers, headphones) will be able to take advantage of this feature.
In addition, Android 16 is set to facilitate the sharing of medical data in applications, with the user's consent required for each application. The operating system will also simplify photo and video sharing by integrating Android's photo selector directly into applications, to avoid having to systematically authorise access to all device data. Last but not least, Android 16 promises security enhancements in the near future.
Those interested will be able to preview the possibilities of Android 16 with a first beta version, scheduled for January 2025. The wider public should be able to sample a stable version as early as May 2025, which is much earlier than the usual timeframe (fall). It will first be available on Google's Pixel handset range, before being gradually rolled out to other manufacturers' phones. – AFP Relaxnews
