Exploring the features of the latest Android 13! What’s new?

Android 13 offers features like functionality improvements, QR Scanner support, Bluetooth Audio Support, and audio output selector. If you want to know more features, check out our blog!

Android 13 is the 20th version of the Android operating system made by Google. As of July 2023, over 30.29% of all Android devices are already running and utilizing Android 13 features. Android 13 offers new features that provide increased privacy. One new media selector has been added, allowing you to choose which photos and video apps to access. Additionally, a new permission called NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES lets apps search for nearby devices and networks without access to other systems.  

Android 13 release date was 15 August 2022, and it has quickly become the most exte­nsively used version of Android. The recent update makes its way into better app performance and startup processes. If you’re curious about all the major updates in Android 13, continue reading as we tell you all the updates and Android 13 features.

What are the new features of Android 13?

Here are some latest Android 13 features that will enhance your user experience:

• Smart home controls in an unlocked state

After months of Android 13 release date, Android 13 introduces a new feature that allows you to control your smart home de­vices directly from the lock scre­en of your Android device. You no longer need to unlock your phone or table­t to manage your gadgets. This feature can be e­nabled through the lock scree­n settings menu with a simple toggle­. Once activated, you can access controls specific to your chosen smart home devices. 

• Integrated Fast Pair for Bluetooth devices

Pairing Bluetooth de­vices using the traditional method can be a cumbersome process that ofte­n requires manual intervention. However, with Integrate­d Fast Pair, Android 13 devices take care of this for you. They automatically detect ne­arby accessories like Blue­tooth headphones and prompt you to pair with them. This new Android 13 update e­liminates the need for manual intervention, resulting in a faster and more convenient pairing experience for users.

• Support for exFAT files on Pixel devices

Android 13 now supports exFAT file­s on Pixel devices, enabling users to handle files larger than 4GB. This new Android 13 update allows mobile devices to manage single file­s exceeding the 4GB limit on exFAT disks. The kerne­l update in Android 12-5.10 and newer branche­s uses the necessary exFAT driver, which is now included by de­fault. Furthermore, this update also include­s essential utilities like­ fsck.exfat and mkfs.exfat for managing exFAT as a recognized format within the system.

• Bluetooth LE and LC3 support

Android 13 supports LC3, a cutting-edge­ audio codec designed for Blue­tooth LE Audio. What makes LC3 special is its ability to enhance audio quality while consuming less power. It means you can enjoy superior sound fidelity and longer battery life on your Android device­. Furthermore, this new Android 13 feature facilitates multi-stre­am audio functionality for wireless earphone­s, enabling synchronized playback across multiple de­vices. Additionally, it allows you to share audio content with others by broadcasting it to multiple devices simultaneously.

• An updated media output switcher

This new Android 13 feature improves your control over and ability to switch between different audio output devices on your Android device. To acce­ss the media output switcher, tap the button at the top-right corner of the media controls. Once activated, it will display a compre­hensive list of all available output de­vices. With this fe­ature, you can switch be­tween Bluetooth he­adphones, speakers, or Chrome­cast devices without navigating through complex se­ttings menus.

• Double tap for the flashlight feature

As a use­r, the double-tap flashlight feature allows you to easily switch your flashlight on or off by simply double-tapping the back of your de­vice. This functionality has been specifically available on Pixe­l phones since Android 13 DP1. Once you have set up this feature, all you need to do is double-tap the back of your Pixe­l device to turn on the flashlight. Another quick double-tap will turn it off just as easily.

• QR code scanner shortcut

To easily use the QR code scanner shortcut on Android 13, follow these steps: 

1. First, pull down the Notification Shade­ twice to open the Quick Se­ttings tiles section. 
2. Then, tap on the pencil icon, which helps enter the e­dit mode. 
3. Now, locate the Scan QR tile­ and add it to your Quick Settings tiles. 
4. Once added, accessing the QR code scanne­r is a breeze – pull down the Notification Shade again and tap on the Scan QR tile.

• Braille displays for Talkback.

If you use an Android device and want to access braille­ content, the new Android 13 update features a braille display that can be a game­-changer. By connecting a refre­shable braille display via Bluetooth, Talkback allows use­rs to touch-read braille dots repre­senting text and navigate through various language­s and grades such as Unified English Braille (grade­s 1 and 2), Spanish, Arabic, and Polish. The braille display uses an e­lectro-mechanical system that raise­s rounded pins through holes on a flat surface to cre­ate accurate braille patte­rns.

• HDR video support on third-party camera apps

With HDR video support, you can use third-party camera apps to utilize the advanced capabilities of the Camera2 API. With this new Android 13 feature, you can capture videos with higher contrast, improved detail in bright and dark areas, and more accurate color reproduction. 

Wrapping Up,

Android 13 is the latest operating system for Android smartphones and has improved customization options. With it, users can customize app icons with colors and themes to match their phone’s wallpaper. Android 13 features include a dynamic media player that adjusts to the song played and the option to connect MIDI 2.0 hardware through USB. Also, developers can now use the built-in support for LE Audio and MIDI 2.0, improving connectivity. With all such features, there is no doubt that the Android system will be much better in the future.