Google has recently started the release of beta 2 of Android 14 QPR2 to all users who already joined the Android beta program. The information is revealed for the Pixel devices.
This is the second preview version of a development cycle that will accompany us until the Pixel Feature Drop in March 2024. In this article, we want to tell you about all the new features introduced with beta 2.
System settings gain toggles in Material 3
With the new beta 2 of Android 14 QPR2 , Google has finally implemented true Material 3 -3-style toggles (or switches) within the system settings (and all the parts connected to them). Compared to before (you can appreciate the difference below), the switches are now chubbier.
Ability to share Wi-Fi from the “Internet” pane
By accessing the control center and tapping on the “Internet” box, the new “Share Wi-Fi” button is now present at the bottom left. Tapping this button opens the “Share Wi-Fi” page (already existing) which shows the QR code to show to other people for access to the network; immediately below is the “Nearby” link to share your Wi-Fi network credentials via the Nearby Sharing feature. Access to the Wi-Fi network sharing page is protected by biometric authentication.
The “Limited” battery optimization mode for apps disappears
The “Limited” battery optimization mode (as far as individual apps are concerned) is gone and has been replaced by a new “Allow background use” switch : linked to it is a page that allows you to choose whether to use in the app background should be “Optimized” or “Unrestricted”.
New developer option “Widevine Settings”
The new item “Widevine Settings ” has been added to the “Settings > System > Developer Options” path which contains only the “Force L3 reserve” toggle ; in a nutshell, this is an option for multimedia app developers who will be able to force the L3 DRM state on a device.
Other tangible news
In addition to these new features and system settings, beta 2 of Android 14 QPR2 brings with it other new features that are tangible to all beta testers.
The Pixel Launcher displays app names in two lines
Another interesting novelty of the beta 2 of Android 14 QPR2 affects the Pixel Launcher, or the system launcher of Made by Google devices . Specifically, the app names below the icons are now shown on two lines (in case you need them). This behavior, however, does not apply to the home screen and results provided by the system search bar.
