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Top 10 New Features of Android 13

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Top 10 New Features of Android 13

Android 13 was released on August 15, 2022, with a plethora of new features and improvements to make your Android devices more personal and secure.

However, many new features of Android 13 are not eye-catching and deep inside the Settings or apps.

This Android 13 guide explains the top 10 new features of Android 13 that almost everyone will benefit from, including per-app language options, clipboard access control, notifications opt-in, a QR code scanner in the Quick Settings tile, a revamped media player, a new Photo Picker, Quick Pair and Bluetooth LE Audio support, control home devices without unlocking the phone/tablet, Spatial Audio support, expanded Material You options.

We now explore these new features of Android 13 one by one.

What are the top 10 new features of Android 13?

There are many new features and underhood improvements in Android 13. For most Android phone users, the following 10 features you definitely should try and know.

  1. Per-app language options.
  2. Clipboard access control.
  3. Notifications opt-in.
  4. QR code scanner in the Quick Settings tile.
  5. A revamped media player.
  6. Anew Photo Picker.
  7. Bluetooth LE Audio and LC3 code support
  8. Spatial Audio support.
  9. Control home devices without unlocking the phone/tablet.
  10. Expanded Material You options

Per-app language options: the most practical new feature of Android 13

In Android 13, you can choose a different language for individual apps regardless of the system language. Of course, if the app developer enables the language you want.

For example, as shown in the screenshot below, all apps that support multi-languages are listed under Settings — System — Languages & input — App Languages.

You can choose your preferred language for these apps individually. Many Android 13 users marked this as one of the most practical new features of Android 13.

new features of Android 13: Per-app language options
Per-app language settings in Android 13

You can also change the language for the apps on the App info page of individual apps.

Clipboard access control

Android 13 makes it easy to copy and paste both text and images.

When you copy any text or an image to the clipboard, you will see immediate feedback (an alert box in the lower-left corner of the screen), as shown in the animation below. The content (text or image) in the clipboard will be available for 1 hour. You can turn on the clipboard manager in Gboard (or Samsung Keyboard if you are using a Samsung phone) and pin any items in the clipboard so that they will not be expired.… Read the rest

How to quickly snooze notifications in Android 12?

You can use the snooze button to quickly snooze any notifications.

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quickly snooze notifications in Android 12In Android 12, you can quickly snooze notifications and customize the snoozing period for individual notifications.

This Android 12 guide explains the new functions and features of quickly snoozing notifications and customizing the snoozing period for individual notifications. It shows you step-by-step how to use it to quickly snooze notifications in Android 12.

Please note this guide applies to stock Android 12 (including Android One) or near-stock Android 12 (e.g.,  on Moto phones). However, Android vendors may customize and alter this feature. For example, the notification snoozing works differently on Samsung Galaxy phones with Android 12 (One UI 4).

What’s new on snoozing notifications in Android 12?

Android introduced notification snooze in Android Oreo. The feature was gradually improved and polished in Android Pie, Android 10, and Android 11.

Now, in Android 12, some new features/functions were added:

  • A snooze button for each notification was added so that you can tap to snooze the notification for a while.
  • A dropdown menu that allows you to customize snoozing period for individual notifications.

So, you will find these two minor updates extremely if you use the notification snooze frequently.

How to quickly snooze notifications in Android 12?

By default, when you expand notifications in the notification panel in Android 12, you will see the additional snoozing button, as shown in the screenshot below.

Each notification has its own snoozing button. And it is not necessary to use any gestures to access the button.

Android 12 notification panel snooze button for each notifications

So, you can quickly snooze notifications in Android 12.

For example, as shown in the screenshot above, you can just tap the snooze button to snooze the notification for 1 hour, which is the default snooze duration in Android 12.

You can undo the snooze operation by tapping the Undo button, as shown in the screenshot below. This would cancel the snooze.

The snooze button, by default, also works in the lock screen. In other words, if you choose to show notification contents on the lock screen, you will also have the option to snooze the notifications on the lock screen directly without unlocking the phone to access the notification panel.

quickly snooze notifications in Android 12 customize snoozing duration for individual notifications

How to customize snoozing period for individual notifications in Android 12?

As mentioned, by default, notifications will be snoozed for 1 hour in Android 12 after you tap the snooze button.

You can customize the snooze duration shorter (up to 15 mins) or longer (up to 2 hours) without leaving the notification panel.… Read the rest

Top 12 new features of Android 12 you should know

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Top 12 new features of Android 12 Android 12, as the successor of Android 11,  was publicly released on October 4, 2021, with many new features and improvements, as expected.

This guide summarizes the top 12 new features of Android 12 that most users will like (or need) to know. A concise explanation of each of these new features is provided to help users, especially those upgraded from Android 11, quickly start to use these new features.

Detailed step-by-step guides for some of these new features of Android 12 will be covered in other posts separately (and listed on the Android 12 Guides page).

Please note, a few big Android vendors (e.g., Samsung)  may implement a few of these features differently in their Android 12 releases. So, if your phone is not running the stock (or near-stock) Android 12, you may find the settings are in different locations or have different options.

If you have questions about getting the Android 12 update for your device, you may check this guide.

Here is our list of the top 12 new features of Android 12.

1. Redesigned UI: one of the most eye-catching new features of Android 12

After you update to Android 12, you will very likely be surprised by the huge digital clock on the lock screen.

This is just an example of dramatic changes in the redesigned UI (user interface).

Based on Google, the redesigned UI in Android 12 lets users feel more comfortable. For example, you will see more space in the notification panel. The quick settings panel is no longer just icons: the name and current status (if applicable) are also shown.

The redesigned UI in Android 12 actually changed the entire user interface, from shapes, light and motion, to customizable system colours.

It is also a lot easier to customize the Android 12 UI.

2. Camera and microphone access indicator: the most practical new features of Android 12

Android 12 now lets you know whenever the camera or microphone is accessed by an app. So, this is an addition to the location access control introduced in Android 10 to protect your privacy.

In the status bar, you will see the camera and microphone icons when they are being accessed.

And if you don’t want any apps to access your microphone or camera, you can completely disable camera and microphone access globally in the quick settings panel in Android 12. By default, these two quick setting buttons are hidden.… Read the rest

Top 11 new features of Android 11

The best Android 11 new features explained

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Top 11 new features of Android 11Google released Android 11 on September 8, 2020, with many exciting new features and improvements.

Supported Pixel phones including Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, all received the Android 11 update immediately after the release.  The first generation Pixel and Pixel XL stopped at Android 10 and did not receive the Android 11 update.

Other Android manufacturers will roll out their Android 11 update based on their own schedule. Some manufacturers may release the Android 11 update in November to December. But for the majority of owners of non -Pixel phones, very likely,  they will receive the Android 11 update from early 2021.

This Android 11 guide explains the top 11 new features of Android 11: conversations in one place, notification history, bubbles, native screen recorder, seamless media control, smart device controls, one-time permissions and auto-reset permissions, dark theme scheduling, security updates via Play Store, smart Reply, app suggestions, and smart folders for Pixel phones, and wireless Android Auto.

Of course, there is an Android 11 Easter egg: Neko Cat game.

Conversations in one place: the most useful new features of Android 11

In Android 11, all notifications from messaging apps now are grouped as conversions in the notification panel.  You can not only read the incoming new messages but also directly reply in the notification panel.

And it works for all messaging apps.

On the lock screen, you can even choose to show priority conversations from specific contacts or individual chat threads.

Most Android 11 users will admit the conversation is one of the best new features of Android 11.

Notification history

Very often, we dismiss some notifications without checking them. But sometimes, you may realize the notification may be important.

Prior to Android 11, you cannot access notification history unless you use some third-party apps.

Now, you can enable notification history in Android 11 (Settings —Apps & notifications — Notifications — Notification history) to check snoozed and dismissed notifications.

Bubbles

Bubbles are just a minimized pop-up view of a chat.

Android 11 lets you pin conversations anywhere on the screen. Because the chat bubbles appear on top of other apps and screens, you can always check and participate in the conversation when using other apps.

By default, chat bubbles and notification history are not enabled in Android 11. You need to enable bubbles in Settings — Apps & notifications —Notifications  —Bubbles — Allow apps to show bubbles.… Read the rest

How to use the Android 10 Emergency button?

Manage your emergency info and make emergency calls on Android 10

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Emergency buttonThe Android 10 Emergency button may be one of the most popular new features that have made a comeback in Android 10.

This Galaxy Android 10 guide explains what the emergency button is, how to access the button and emergency information, how to use the emergency button and manage the emergency info. It also answers some questions you may have on this feature.

What is the Android 10 Emergency button?

The Emergency button is a shortcut for users to access the Emergency call page which allows users to do the following:

  • Dial Emergency numbers.
  • Access Emergency Information where you can view and input necessary medical information and emergency contacts.

The button can be accessed without unlocking the phone.

How to access the Android 10 Emergency button?

You can hold down the power button for about 2 seconds until the power menu appears.

In the power menu, as shown below, the Emergency button would be located right under the screenshot button (which was added in Android Pie).

Android 10 power button menu

How to use the Android 10 Emergency button?

Accessing the Emergency call page

Tap on the Emergency button to access the Emergency call page, as shown below.

The Emergency call page allows users to dial Emergency numbers and access the Emergency Information panel.

Android 10 power button menu emergency call page

The Emergency call page can also be accessed at the lock screen by tapping on the Emergency button, as shown below.

Android 10 Lock Screen

Manage Emergency Information

The Emergency Information panel allows users to access and edit medical information and emergency contacts.

The Emergency Information can be viewed without unlocking the phone and be useful in some critical moments.

For example,  medical personnel can identify the owner of the phone as well as their medical conditions without unlocking the phone. Hence making it easier for medical personnel to take necessary medical actions during an emergency.

In the Emergency call page, tap on Emergency Information twice to access the Emergency Information panel as shown below.

Emergency call page Android 10 Emergency Information

By tapping on the pen icon next to Medical Information, users can edit their personal medical information.

Medical personnel can view this information during an emergency without unlocking the phone and can take necessary medical actions.

Android 10 Emergency Information Android 10 medical information

Tapping on the Pen icon next to Emergency contacts will allow users to add emergency contacts.

The Emergency contacts can be contacted during an emergency without having to unlock the phone.

Emergency Information Panel Android 10 Emergency contacts

Can I move the position of the Emergency button?

Unfortunately, no.… Read the rest