Google has released the roadmap for the development, beta testing, platform stability, and the final release of Android 14, which reveals meet the launch of Huawei HarmonyOS 4 later in the second half of 2023.

The first developer preview is already out for the Pixel devices. However, Google could open early access to other smartphone makers such as OnePlus by April when the open beta campaign kicks off.

As mentioned by the Android company, Android 14 is projected to reach platform stability by the end of July. But there’s still a possibility of these milestone timelines to delay, similar to last year.

For your information, the Android 14 developer preview will be a very useful and early gift to the developer community. It will pave a way for the app devs to know more about the upcoming APIs and app features ahead of the final launch.

Looking into the developer preview features, Android 14 promises to improve productivity, enhances performance, improvements to security, and privacy, and bring new customizations.

Yes, there are new tweaks and changes made over Android 12, while there are more that will be visible as the development progress further. Throughout this phase, these developers (and later users) will help to fix bugs and make improvements to the Android 14 source code.

HarmonyOS 4:

Aside from the Android 14 developer beta, Huawei is preparing for the HarmonyOS 3.1 rollout but the company is working on HarmonyOS 4 as a major release for the next generation of Huawei devices. For now, there’s no official launch date available but we are likely to hear more on this at the Huawei Developer Conference (HDC) 2023 event.

HarmonyOS 4 promises big upgrades over HarmonyOS 3 and a major restructure in the user interface (UI). Nonetheless, we’ll keep you posted.

(source – Android)

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Generally, Android phones contain a variety of partitions to manage files and other data. For instance, boot partition, system partition, recovery partition, cache partition, and so on. Every partition plays an important role in organizing and handling these details.

To be specific, these partitions hold temporary data which often counts as optional. However, many times these partition stores some crucial and confidential data points that third-party access can alter easily.

Moreover, the system does not store your partition’s data and does not encrypt it either. Consequently, a simple factory reset or one boot to your device can easily erase all the partition’s data.

Hence, it is important to protect these segments from external edits and unnecessary deletions at times of access. For doing so, Google is imposing some major software elements to Android 14 that can make partition verifications. And so has to be with the devices.

Today, the well-known observer Mishaal Rahman shared a tweet on this matter. According to him, Android 14 devices should be capable of partition verification ability.

Further, these devices must shield the partitions from external edits. So that they may not get modified whenever they are accessed. On the other hand, the handsets should be capable of saving them even if the booting function takes place.

“Devices launching with Android 14+ will be required to verify that protected partitions have not been modified every time they are read from, rather than once per boot.”

Manufacturers have to make changes!

Google is preparing the next Android version with new and innovative pinches. As a result, the tech makers have to alter their devices to a huge extent to match the Android 14 compatibility.

Previously, we reported that Android 14 will force the devices to support the AV1 video coding format. Now, the upcoming Android version is asking for advanced security measures to protect the user’s data and privacy in a better way.

It seems like Android 14 will brings many high-level changes for users. This is just the beginning and we would like to see what changes will the upcoming operating system offer to its users.

[Source]

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Although the tech giant is still trying hard to maintain its foot in the world. Yet, I believe that Huawei would have been in the first position in smartphone sales if the U.S. ban had not existed.

We are well aware of the fact that why U.S. lawsuits have prohibited Huawei from its boundaries. As per their mindsets, the respective firm is a great threat to security and could spy on and damage telecommunication networks.

However, Huawei claims that the banning procedure was unconstitutional. None of the law officials allowed the company to keep its point. Without any specific proof, they have blocked the manufacturer from prominent businesses.

Anyhow, the results have been quite destructive for Huawei. Though the company surpassed Samsung and became the world’s top smartphone maker in April 2020. Still, the U.S. ban is a constant hurdle between several growing aspects.

Smartphone Sales Drop

U.S. prohibition’s drastic effect was visible in Huawei smartphone sales. Since the restriction has pulled the GMS (Google Mobile Services from Huawei devices, it reduced the company’s fan base among consumers.

And it’s pretty obvious. In a world dominated by Google services, no one would like to have a gadget without GMS. Hence, Huawei begins to decline in smartphone sales in the global market.

However, the company didn’t give up and constantly made efforts to hype its smartphone tendency in the merchandise. Huawei introduced AppGallery, HarmonyOS, and several Huawei Mobile Services that promise to be much better than Google.

Consequently, hard work paid off and Huawei overtook Samsung in April 2020 without GMS capabilities. Even at times of the COVID-19 pandemic when the market was not in favor of tech makers, the Chinese firm hiked its share by 40%.

This hike in China helped the company to pace up in the global smartphone market with neutral growth.

Intelligent smartphone technologies

New techs and features

On the flip side, we should not forget that Huawei has imposed several eye-catching features on its devices. According to me, Satellite Connectivity is the best example. The company has launched the feature with Mate 50 series and is now pushing it for the Mate Xs 2 devices.

It’s interesting to note that Google has started following Huawei’s lead. Yes, the recent report hints that Android 14 will bring a satellite communication feature on its surface. Besides, Samsung also hearsay to adopt the respective technology for its Galaxy devices.

Security

Next comes the security terminology. Though U.S. officials have banned Huawei due to security concerns. But I feel Huawei’s security functions are more robust than those of Google and Android.

The Chinese manufacturer has always safeguarded users’ privacy. From efficient security patches to thoughtful features like a Private Space and a finer authentication process, Huawei phones protect your essentials from both – internal and external exploits.

Camera

Let’s not ignore the camera technologies that Huawei has implemented in its devices, so far. From Leica to the massive XMAGE imaging technology, the company has given a new definition to the term “photography”.

Further, we have always caught some new changes with every Huawei smartphone. Either the high-end variable aperture, extraordinary periscope lens, or eye-catching optical functions such as Capture Smiles, the company has offered the best snap-shot experience to its users.

With such high-level features, there was no doubt that Huawei would have been No.1 in smartphone sales without the U.S. ban. As of now, Huawei’s device business decline has begun to slow down which is a good sign for the company.

Chipset Technology is another important sector

Apart from smartphone sales chipset technology is another sector that has been affected due to U.S. restrictions. Consequently, Huawei is not allowed to contact U.S. business partners. Neither it can purchase nor supply any object to the country.

Eventually, this marked a full stop on semiconductor manufacturing. Let’s see how much time will it take to make everything normal in Huawei’s world.

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So far, the US tech maker has given some ultimate software products to its gadgets. The company has not only maintained high-tech models but also looked after budget-friendly phones and constantly served them with the latest Android builds.

As of now, Google has started the preparations for the next operating system. The company is going to unveil the system with super-ultra features. For instance, back gestures, satellite connectivity, AV1 video coding format, and more.

However, some signs hint that Android 14 could be a trouble for low-end devices. Why? Here is a great theory that defines why and how the upcoming Android version won’t benefit minimum-range gadgets.

Why there is doubt about the low-end device

Whenever a company releases a new build, it also publishes a list of eligible devices. That is because not all the models fulfill the requirement of a new system. Consequently, it’s the software that changes every time and not the handset.

Meanwhile, if we talk about budget-friendly phones, then these are the cheap versions of high-end devices. In other words, these devices provide you efficient experience with minimal storage, memory, and characteristics. But, often such parts start performing abnormally with huge upgrades.

Based on this fact, Google has changed its algorithms for Android 14. As a result, the tech makers have to assemble some mandatory changes in their devices so that they could adapt to the forthcoming operating systems.

Android 14 means massive changes

After going into the details, I feel that Android 14 means massive changes to devices. With the new operating system, Google is introducing several new regulations as well. Eventually, these rules are quite tough for cost-effective devices.

AV1 codec formatting

The list of rules begins with a new video coding format. It is a modern and improved compression system that consumes less data and energy without affecting video quality. As per the Android developers, this is a significant addition and every handheld device must support it.

Accordingly, this indicates that manufacturers have to mold their hardware products to get the Android 14 system.

64-bit apps are necessary

Google’s next step is to eliminate the 32-bit-apps in the devices. Yes, now the smartphones interested in Android 14 must have the Armv9 CPU framework, and should only support 64-bit-apps.

Till now, Android was supporting the 32-bit-apps, since they were popular in some markets. However, this has made the company lag behind iOS. Hence, to pace up in the market, Google has taken this decision.

Satellite Connectivity could also make some new changes

Yes, the details speak that Android 14 will bring satellite connectivity support. Though, I didn’t hear any changes for the devices in this aspect. Perhaps, it’s a new addition and could appear with some mandatory rules.

At some point, these changes are good for the upcoming Android-based models. But, this would greatly affect the low-end gadgets in the market. While Android 14 could be a blessing for tech-pack models, it might be a bane for cost-effective devices.

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According to the latest information, the US manufacturer has made the support of AV1 video coding format mandatory for Android 14 devices. As a result, if the manufacturers want to fetch the latest version of Android to their smart gadgets then they must add the support of the AV1 codec in their internal system.

What is the AV1 codec?

After the satellite connectivity feature, Android 14 is now covering the AV1 codec topic. Generally, this is an open, and license-free video coding format. It is mainly used for video transmission and compression purposes.

Besides, AV1 is a modern and improved compression system that is quite efficient at work. It consumes fewer data and energy without affecting or reducing the video quality. In the latest edition, this code is available in the Android Open Source Project Gerrit. It reads:

“As per Android CDD (Compatibility Definition Document) 14, section 2.2.2 and section 2.6, handheld and tablet device implementations must support decoding AV1.”

Consequently, this makes clear that those devices that are eagerly waiting for the Android 14 interface need some amendments in their system. Only then they would be able to gain the enjoyable and thoughtful benefits of the upcoming software.

64-bit change!

Another significant change that Android 14 will bring to its surface is 64-bit-apps. As per the reports, those smart gadgets that stand over the Armv9 CPU architecture can only support the 64-bit-apps. This major change is for all those latest processors that equip the Armv9 framework. For instance, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.

This makes a sense of finally marking a full stop at the 32-bit-only applications. So far, Apple has taken this decision in 2017, and following the lead, Google is next.

Apart from these major pinches, the predictive back gesture also came into the limelight and is rumored to make its way in Android 14. The respective feature made its debut in Android 13 and there are chances to catch it once again with the upcoming version.

However, we still need some time to bring everything in sequence. Let’s see what else Google is planning to bring to the Android 14 platform.

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Two days ago, the Senior Vice President of the Google Platform and Ecosystem – Hiroshi Lockheimer tweeted some information on his Twitter handle. Consequently, this tweet has given us an idea of what the company is planning for the next Android version.

Hiroshi stated that it’s time to provide users with the better benefits of the satellite. Now the company has started walking on the paths of satellite communication for Android 14 and will soon come up with worthwhile results.

Wild to think about user experiences for phones that can connect to satellites. When we launched G1 in '08 it was a stretch to get 3G + Wifi working. Now we're designing for satellites. Cool! Excited to support our partners in enabling all of this in the next version of Android!

— Hiroshi Lockheimer (@lockheimer) September 1, 2022

Satellite communication?

Satellite communication generally plays a significant role in times of emergencies. For instance, if you get stuck in an inconvenient situation, then this feature will allow you to contact the helpful numbers immediately, even in network dead areas.

Besides, Elon Musk also reported that the satellite communication feature allows you thousands of voice calls or text messages depending on the length of the content. Hence, it would be a quite thoughtful addition to the upcoming Android OS.

So far, SpaceX and T-Mobile declared to bring the respective function on their smartphones. Seeing the huge approach for the satellite-oriented function the US manufacturer has also decided to jump into this field and bring reflective benefits to its consumers.

Though Google initiated the satellite-related work in 2008 with a 3G + WiFi function on HTC Dream/ T-Mobile G1). However, now it’s time to add some advanced technologies to the latest arriving software. Now it’s time to solely bring the Satellite Connections to users’ hands.

Google has confirmed Android 14 as the next version in their OS family. Things have started to run and make pace with time. Thus, we could see the next Android version in mid or late 2023.

[Source]

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