Android 13 QPR 2

Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 summary

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Google recently released the latest Android 13 QPR 2 Beta 3 update for eligible Pixel devices. This update comes with the build number T2B3.230109.002.

Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3, here’s a summary:

  • The new “transient” taskbar is no longer enabled by default like it was in QPR2 Beta 2. You now have to enable the launcher flag “ENABLE_TRANSIENT_TASKBAR” to enable it, just like in QPR2 Beta 1.
  • There’s a new launcher flag called “ENABLE_MULTI_INSTANCE” that “enables creation and filtering of multiple task instances in the overview.” It’s disabled by default. When enabled and there are multiple instances of an app in the recent overview, you’ll see a new button that filters the recent to only show apps with multiple instances open.
  • Here’s a look at the new “Hub mode” settings likely for the Pixel Tablet. This new top-level settings page consolidates various settings related to docking your tablet. Code for “hub mode” was present all the way back in Android 13 DP1 but was removed in subsequent builds. I wasn’t sure if the feature was abandoned, but it’s now back in Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3.

The Wallpaper & styles app is testing a fullscreen wallpaper preview UI

  • Here’s a look at the “revamped” Wallpaper & style UI. It doesn’t look finished, but I think the idea is to make room for all the upcoming lock screen customization options (custom clock, lock screen shortcuts). Instead of having all options on one page, there are separate tabs for the lock screen and home screen. The home screen tab will have the usual dark mode toggle, color style options, and themed icons toggle.
  • Here’s a first look at the settings page for the new lock screen shortcuts feature! You have to long-press each shortcut to activate them instead of tapping.
    (The “Custom Clock” thing is also newish, but I talked about it in this previous post if you’re wondering what it is.)
  • The “3D wallpapers” feature that I’ve talked about previously could be meant for the Pixel Tablet. Although the “WallpaperEffect” app has been added back in QPR2 Beta 3, the cinematic wallpaper feature is coded to only appear on large-screen devices with multi-pane settings/activity embedding enabled. 3D wallpapers could look really neat on a big tablet!

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