Google will release its second Android 13 developer preview on Thursday, with a major new feature: Apps must ask your permission to post notifications. iOS has had a similar feature for years, and it’s a very useful way to make sure that only certain apps send you notifications.
Asking for permission will be the default for Android 13 apps, according to a Google blog post. Apps targeting Android 13 now need to request notification permissions from the user before posting a notification, Dave Burke, VP of Android Engineering, said in the article.
Another important feature of the second preview is Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) audio support. Bluetooth LE Audio is a new standard that uses an audio codec called the Low Complexity Communication Codec (LC3), which can transmit at higher quality at a lower bit rate. This should reduce energy consumption, thereby extending battery life.
The second Android 13 preview also includes several other improvements, including support for the new MIDI 2.0 standard that adds two-way communication, more accurate timing, and higher-resolution 32-bit arithmetic for a more analog-like feel.