Google has given a first glimpse of the new Android version 14, which is supposed to be released in August or September. In particular, design innovations were shown. These are characterized by the use of AI tools.
Date and time in a wide variety of variants
The many new display options for date and time on the lock screen should be particularly striking. Android catches up with iOS here and henceforth offers countless customization options, ranging from the font to the use of special effects in the display of the information. Furthermore, it is possible to use brighter colors than before.
Other innovations include mini-widgets that can display the weather, for example, and a monochrome mode that strips the entire user interface of its colors. This is to ensure that nothing distracts from the displayed content.
Shortcuts and AI tools
In addition, it will be possible in the future to create shortcuts for the lock screen that lead to certain apps, such as the QR code scanner. In this way, Google wants to ensure that particularly frequently used apps can be opened faster than before. However, the focus of the new Android version is on design options offered by an AI. It is now possible to add a 3D effect to regular photos or to generate completely new background pictures via AI. However, free text input is not provided; instead, the user has to choose from presets according to the modular principle. From now on, background images can also be created from smileys.
The AI is furthermore used in the context of the new Magic Compose function. This is supposed to be able to rewrite mundane messages in a given style and primarily serves the purpose of entertainment – in both senses of the word.