It is always a delight to upgrade to the latest Operating System. Now that the Android 14 Update is finally here, there are a lot of changes, improvements, challenges, and much more! I have been using the Beta version for a while now, and finally, I got the stable update release on my Pixel, which I have been using and enjoying.
There are a lot of things which are new and things which have been improved. We will talk about them in this article. I am going to tell you six interesting things about the new update and why they are important for everyone!
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Which Phones Will Get The Android 14 Update?
Ever since Google started rolling out the Android 14 update, everyone has been wondering if their phone is going to get the new update. Google has still not confirmed the exact list of devices that will be getting the update. Although, if you are using a Pixel Device that is Pixel 4a 5G and up, you will be getting the Android 14 Update soon.
On the other hand, if you use a device other than Pixel, Google will start to roll out the updates for the following brands by the end of this year:
- Samsung
- Nothing
- OnePlus
For this, you need to check with your brand hardware page to confirm the availability of the update.
Six Interesting Features Of Android 14 Update!
Although the Android 14 comes with a lot of interesting features. I have handpicked the six most interesting features that will take your Android Experience to the next level.
1. Custom Lockscreen
The first thing you will see when you upgrade to Android 14 is your new lock screen. It is improved, and there are new features that Google has introduced with the new update.
If you long-press the Lockscreen, you will see a “Customise Lockscreen” option at the bottom of the screen. If you click on it, a new ‘Wallpaper & Style’ window will open, where you can customise your lock screen how you wish.
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The Wallpaper
First, you will see the option to change the wallpaper. Google has introduced new wallpapers, including Nature Swept, Living Universe, Motif, Curated Culture, and many more. You will also see an option for “Emoji Workshop”, where you can add your own emojis to be made as wallpaper. Now, this thing can be customised in many ways:
- Selecting the Emojis: Here, you can select up to 14 Emojis of your choice.
- Patterns: Here, you can decide the kind of pattern you want for those Emojis. These patterns include Mosaic, Lotus, Stacks, Sprinkle, and Prism. You can also adjust the size of these patterns according to your preferences.
- Colours: Here, you will get to select the colours you want as background. More than 12 colour options are available for you to decide and choose.
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New Clocks Design
Now, apart from wallpapers, you will see a different set of clocks which you can set on your lock screen. All you have to do is slide between different clock options and select the one which suits you.
Now, when you are sliding through different clocks, you will see the option of “Clock Colour & Size”. Here, you can select different colour options for your clock. At the bottom, you can also select the transparency level of the clock for better visibility according to the wallpapers. When it comes to clock size, there are two options:
- Dynamic: The clock size will change according to the lock screen content.
- Small: In this, only a small clock will appear in the Top left corner of the screen.
Shortcuts
This is also one of the most awaited things which Google has added to the Lockscreen. You can now add shortcuts on the Bottom Right and Left side of the screen. Here, you can select from the list of shortcut menus which shortcut you want to be on the Lockscreen. These shortcuts include Camera, Device Control, Do Not Disturb, Flashlight, Mute, QR Cose Scanner, and Video Camera.
This is cool because now there is a lot of convenience on the lock screen. If you ask me, I have a Camera and Flashlight added as shortcuts. I feel it’s pretty easy to open these apps now because all you have to do is hold the shortcut, and it will open the app right from the lock screen itself.
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2. Phone As A Webcam
When I received this feature, I was excited to use it. After using the feature for real, I realised how interesting and useful this is. Android 14 will now allow you to use your phone camera as a webcam for your laptop or desktop. This simple thing will come in handy in case the quality of your existing camera is just average or it’s simply not working.
Here are the simple steps which you can follow to use your Android 14 device as a webcam:
- Plug your device into your PC using a USB Cable.
- Here, you can now adjust your USB options to Webcam.
- Now, you will be able to adjust your Phone’s Webcam settings.
- Start using your mobile phone as a webcam.
3. Monochrome Themes
This is something I personally liked the best. The Android 14 update will now allow you to have a looking User Interface, enhancing the OS’s overall appeal. You might wonder what exactly happens when applying a Monochrome Theme on Android 14.
When you apply this, your icons, buttons, animations, and widgets will be monochrome and use a single tint colour as the basis of all other shades. This will create an experience for you that has fewer distractions, and hence your productivity will increase.
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4. Flash Notification
Now, this is one feature which I think is a game-changer for a lot of people. If you are someone with a disability who can’t listen to the notifications, this feature will come in handy for you. I know this feature was in Apple for a long time, but it’s also good to have this advanced in Android.
Now, what exactly is Flash Notifications? Flash notifications flash the camera light of the screen each time you receive a notification or whenever your alarm makes a sound. You can choose between a Camera and a Screen.
- Camera: If you turn this on, your camera will Flash when a notification appears on your phone.
- Screen: Here, the screen will flash when a notification arrives. You also have the option to choose the colour input for the Flash.
One thing to note is that you should use the Flash Notification with caution if you are light-sensitive.
5. Better Privacy Control And Improved Developer Options
The Android 14 update will now allow you to have better control over what kind of information you share with all the apps you use. The thing is, when we install an app, it asks for a lot of permission. Oftentimes, you must have come across options that the app requests access to your Camera or Location. Here, you can select various options like “While using an app”, “Allow all the time”, or deny.
With the Android 14 update, you will have better control over your privacy. Here, Google will tell you if the app seeking your permission has previously shared any data with third-party websites. This way, you can make an informed decision when it comes to avoiding sharing data with apps that are known to sell it to third-party clients.
Along with this, the Developer Options have improved as well. Now, developers will have much more control over the device if they want to make any changes and get more into the technicalities of the device.
6. Enhanced Pin Security
To avoid any privacy and security breaches. Google has enhanced the security of your device by letting you set up a six-digit PIN instead of the traditional four digits. This will give the user more control over the device. In case your phone gets stolen or falls into the wrong hands, it will become hard for the other person to bypass the password screen, as six digits are comparatively hard to guess.
To Sum Up
In the end, I can say that the Android 14 update has some of the best features you would expect from an Operating System. With features like a customisable lock screen, new widgets, notification flashes, and enhanced developer options, this update seems no less than a treat!
Please note that Google has just started rolling out the update, so it can take a while for you to receive those updates. I would suggest you regularly check System Updates to see if anything is available.
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Have you received the latest Android 14 update yet? Let me know what you think about it in the comment section below. I would love to hear from you!
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