Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 now available for Pixel phones: What’s new?

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Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1

Google has been busy enhancing the user experience for Android users, with the stable launch of QPR2 on Monday being just the beginning. Today, the tech giant is taking things up a notch by rolling out Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 to Pixel phones. With this latest beta release, Pixel phone owners can expect a host of exciting new features and functionality, further cementing Android’s reputation as the go-to mobile operating system.

The Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1 is not just about adding new features; it also includes all the updates from the latest public March Feature Drop release. In addition to these updates, users can expect a plethora of additional features, bug fixes, and performance optimizations that are designed to further enhance the overall Android experience.

Android 13 QPR3 is set to be released to consumers in June and will be the final major quarterly update for Android 13. Interestingly, Google had previously suggested that it would not be publicly testing QPR3 and would instead go straight from the 13 QPR2 Beta to the Android 14 Beta 1.

Google has released both factory image and OTA files for Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1. To get access to this initial QPR3 build, you’ll need one of the following Pixel devices: Pixel 4a, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6 or 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, or Pixel 7 or 7 Pro.

The majority of users will likely install the March security patch along with Beta 1 (T3B1.230224.005) via the Android Beta Program website. Hit the appropriate linkbelow to grab the update based on your handset.

Google has not provided their own list of changes, but the following issues have been resolved in Android 13 QPR3 Beta 1.

  • Fixed an issue where the clock text on the lock screen was the wrong color.
  • Fixed an issue where Bluetooth audio wasn’t working on some devices.
  • Fixed an issue where the fingerprint icon that is normally displayed on screen to indicate the position of the fingerprint sensor erroneously changed to an exclamation point (!).
  • Fixed an issue where live wallpapers could not be selected or used.
  • Fixed an issue where widgets, app icon positions, and other configurable options on the home screen were reset after installing an OTA update.
  • Fixed an issue that caused a device to be unenrolled from Face Unlock after installing an OTA update.

Esper.io’s Mishaal Rahman has uncovered some exciting new features in the Android 13 QPR3 update. Here’s a brief overview of the latest findings:

  • A “show only new notifications on lock screen” option is available under Settings Notifications, but only if the lock_screen_show_only_unseen_notifications is set to ‘1’.
  • The transient taskbar is now available when gesture navigation is enabled, while the persistent taskbar appears with 3-button navigation.
  • Share menu is more consistent with an unbundled chooser.
  • Users now have the option to display weather on the lock screen separately from smartspace.
  • Watch Unlock feature can now be accessed through Settings integration.
  • Device Controls can show a custom embedded activity from providers, but only to developers in Android 14 DP2’s release.
  • The font scaling Quick Setting tile is now available when enabled.
  • Three new keyguard quick affordances are supported: Mute, notetaking, and video camera.
  • A new “emoji wallpaper” generator is available in Android 14 DP2, but not enabled by default.

With the final major update for Android 13 just around the corner, users can expect even more exciting features and improvements to come with the launch of Android 14.

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