Google has offered an early look at Android 16, unveiling the first developer preview of the next major Android update.
Developers can now explore new capabilities, including expanded photo library tools and enhanced medical data-sharing features. This release follows Google’s recent decision to shift its Android release timeline forward. Google aims to reduce the delay in major updates reaching third-party Android phones, potentially improving update speeds for devices launched in 2025.
Matthew McCullough, Android’s Developer Head, highlighted the update’s broader implications, stating, “This is the start of Android having more frequent API releases as part of our effort to drive faster innovation in apps and devices.”
Among the features in the developer preview, Android’s photo picker can now be embedded directly into apps, streamlining the media-sharing experience. This enhancement allows users to share specific images and videos without exposing their entire device or cloud storage. The preview also introduces the latest version of Google’s Privacy Sandbox, an evolving alternative to Android’s advertising ID.
Google has also showcased an early preview of its Health Connect app, which includes APIs for managing health records in FHIR format. This advancement could enable apps and medical devices to share medical data securely, echoing Apple Health’s functionality on iPhones. Google emphasizes that such data exchanges require explicit user consent, ensuring privacy remains a top priority.
The Android 16 rollout is set to begin with its first public beta in January 2025, with the final release anticipated after April, likely coinciding with Google’s annual I/O event. This updated schedule signals a push toward delivering Android updates faster and enhancing their availability for users across diverse devices.
