Android 13 Update: New Features and More!

Google’s Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, along with every other top-tier smartphone, have had access to Android 13 since its initial release in August 2022. Even though the major update has been made public, Google isn’t done with Android 13 yet.

The Pixel smartphones continue to receive new features every three months, with some of those features eventually making their way to other Android devices via monthly security patches. Even if Android 14 and its beta program are the most up-to-date and cutting-edge options, you should familiarize yourself with Android 13 and its most recent Feature Drops before upgrading your phone.

You may want to skip our section on the best new features in Android 13 if you have already updated to Google’s 2022 operating system for your phone.

Quick Overview Of Android 13

In February 2022, Google released the first Android 13 developer preview in preparation for the stable release, giving us our first look at the upcoming operating system. In May 2022, the first Android 13 beta was made available to anyone who dared flash beta firmware on their Pixel phone. The business then concentrated on fixing any remaining bugs in preparation for the software’s release in August 2022.

Every year, similar to the system updates of Outplayed, almost all aspects of technology upgrade too. Google’s Pixel phones get the newest version of Android first. However, some of the company’s older phones were discontinued as usual. The Pixel 4 and 4a are the last devices to receive security patches and software updates for Android until October 2022 and August 2023, respectively.

Due to the early availability of the first developer preview in February, it was widely anticipated that Android 13 would be released sooner than other recent Android releases. On August 15, 2022, we can expect to see the release.

Pixel Feature Drop updates

There are many changes, both large and small, in Android 13. This is why we have created this comprehensive changelog, starting with the Android Pixel Feature Drop on March 13, 2023. Android 13 QPR3 is the third beta release in the company’s ongoing development of the June 2023 Feature Drop.

New Upgrades in Android 13’s Pixel Feature Drop

Recently, though, Google has broken this unspoken norm by not always issuing security updates and Pixel Feature Drops on the first of the month. A week later than normal, on June 13, 2023, the June Pixel Feature Drop was released. However, the new release includes numerous improvements, many of which have already appeared in the beta versions of Android 14 Beta 3 and Android 13 QPR.

Google Assistant’s Emergency Sharing and Improved Road Safety

As of the June Feature Drop, you can launch an immediate sharing session with the help of Google Assistant. When you’re in a dangerous situation, like going for a run at night, you can activate the Pixel’s emergency sharing feature to notify predefined emergency contacts on your behalf unless you manually check-in.

Google is also working to make roads safer. In the event of a severe car accident, Google Pixel phones can already detect it and immediately contact emergency services on your behalf if you are unresponsive. Along with your location, the June Feature Drop also broadcasts your call status to those you’ve designated as emergency contacts.

Camera improvements for Pixel phones

Some updated camera features were included in June’s Feature Drop. A gesture-controlled timer is available on the Google Pixel 6 and later. When taking a self-portrait with a three- or ten-second timer, you can trigger the timer by raising your palm. This makes it easier to take a hands-free selfie, as you can adjust your position without worrying about the timer starting before you’re ready.

Improved quick access to smart home controls

The lock screen and notification shade on Pixel phones have had quick access to smart home features for some time now. These hooks provide access to a much more basic interface than what you’d get from an app like Google Home. With the June Feature Drop, Google is making significant changes to the interface, bringing it mostly in line with the new look and feel of the Google Home app.

Safer PIN entry screen

Your Google account can be accessed through your device’s PIN, so it’s important to keep it safe at all times. Thanks to a new security feature from Google, shoulder surfers will have a more difficult time accessing your lock screen before stealing your phone. The new option in Security & Privacy → Device Unlock, named the Enhanced PIN privacy feature of the device, unlocks both the entered PIN and the button-press animations. Although you should still exercise caution when entering your PIN in a public place, this makes it more difficult to see at a glance.

Better haptics and better charging

Google has a solution for people in this predicament. The Adaptive alert vibration toggle can be found in the two phones’ system settings under the headings Sound and Vibration and Vibration and Haptics. The feature’s description provides exhaustive detail regarding While the phone is stationary with the screen up, the vibration intensity is lowered. As a result, your phone’s volume will be lower than usual in this setup.

All Pixel devices that can use adaptive charging will soon receive updates. To better predict how long it takes you to charge your phone on average, Google claims to have improved the AI that powers this feature. After about an hour, the AI has finished charging your phone, and you can remove the cord.

New Google Recorder capabilities

You might want to be able to distribute your voice recordings in a tidy package, especially since Google Recorder is more commonly used as a tool for memos than for long-term interview recordings.

The June Feature Drop from Google allows for this to happen. With the latest update to Recorder, you can now export your notes as a video, complete with speaker labels. The transcript can now be exported to Google Docs and searched for speaker labels. Even though Google Recorder isn’t technically an Android update, the company announced it alongside the Feature Drop so we couldn’t leave it out.