Android 12: news, leaks, releases, features and rumors!

Android 11 was an update that was bigger than the sum of its parts. Smaller features like chat bubbles, conversation notifications and a built-in screen recorder do not sound that impressive on their own. Combined in one seamless package, however, Android 11 was a pretty good update for Google’s mobile operating system.

We’re in 2021 now, and before you know it, we’re playing with the first developer preview of Android 12. Details on the next major update are still few, but it’s not going to stop us speculating and making some trained guesses as to where we’re going. is on its way.

From rumored features, interface changes, availability and more – here’s all we know so far about Android 12!

While the timing of the versions of Android versions has changed over the years, the past few have been fairly consistent. Here are the dates for the last four issues:

• Android 8.0 – 21 August 2017
• Android 9 – 6 August 2018
• Android 10 – September 3, 2019
• Android 11 – 8 September 2020

With these dates in mind, we would assume that the public build of Android 12 will be released in August or September. A September issue seems more likely between the two, as workflows are still constrained by Google employees working from home.

Google may have to push Android 12 until October or November, but from where we are at present, we expect a release window in September.

Android 12 Beta

Before we can even think of a public launch, however, we need to talk about beta availability. Developer previews and public betas are a big factor for any Android update, and again, with Android 12, that will not change.

The first previews of developers for Android 10 and Android 11 were both launched in February, and unless something drastic happens behind the scenes, we would expect Android 12 to follow in these footsteps. That initial preview of developers is usually pretty barebones when it comes to new features and design elements, which means we have to wait until later buildings before we have a full idea of ​​what Android 12 will look like.

Google usually shows all its cards against the announcement of the public beta for a new Android version, and although it usually happens in May, it was postponed until June last year due to COVID-19. We’re pointing the finger at the first public beta to be launched again in May, but do not be surprised if we meet another June date.

Android 12 Features

This is one thing to talk about when a new Android update is released, but it’s much nicer to discuss what possible features we might see if you ask us. While not much has been shared about Android 12 features yet, there is one we can look forward to.

Thanks to some people digging at the people 9to5Google, it appears that Google is introducing a Pixel-specific Android 12 feature that allows you to double-tap on the back of its phones to perform certain actions. Along with acting as another shortcut to opening Google Assistant, double-tapping can also be used to snooze alarms, take a screenshot, and so on.

This feature was seen in Android 11 betas and has the codename of ‘Columbus’. Of course, it never got to the public building, but if we look ahead to Android 12, it may finally get its chance to shine.

As for more general features that are not exclusive to Pixel phones, we will have to wait and see what we get. Google seems likely to add more controls / settings for app permissions. More fine-tuning of notifications will not come as a surprise, and there are likely to be a bunch of behind-the-scenes customizations that can make the best Android phones even better.

Android 12 Interface

We have not seen a major redesign for Android since the move from Holo to Material Design in 2014. There have been many minor changes and tweaks since then, with the era of ‘Google Material Theme’ we are currently just an evolution of what Material Design introduced. With that in mind, some people may believe it’s time for another big design shift.

While it may be fun to talk about a new look for Android, do not hold your breath for Android 12 to shake things up too much in this regard. The current design language looks good, has no functional downfall and is suitable for the mature operating system that Android currently has.

It’s quite possible that we’ll see some updates to the Pixel Launcher and other UI elements of Pixel phones specifically, but that’s likely to be the extent of any design changes. Especially with Samsung charting its own path with One UI and OnePlus with its own design with OxygenOS, it seems like Google’s core interface completely reconsidered is not a logical area to focus Google much of its efforts with Android 12.