What's New In Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3
© Provided by Android PoliceWhile we all eagerly await the hopefully forthcoming Android 14 Developer Preview, Google is still busy with its Android 13 Extended Beta program in preparation for version 2 of its quarterly Android platform. 13 (QPR2) or the introduction of March features. The latest version we've met is Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3, which is mostly about bug fixes but also has some new things hidden in the code. That's all we learned about Beta 3.
Lock screen keyboard shortcuts
Many Android phones, including the Nothing Phone 1 in Android 13, now let you add custom shortcuts to your lock screen. This gives you quick access to frequently used options. The Google Pixel range only offered shortcuts to your smart home controls on the bottom left and Google Wallet on the bottom right, with no ability to change them. However, Google is working on it, as Mishaal Rahman pointed out. The Android expert managed to find and enable the hidden flags that customize the lock screen shortcut keys.
Shortcut options become part of the Wallpaper & Style app, which gets an overhauled user interface in the process. In a new Shortcuts section, Mishaal Rahman could choose from four different shortcut options: Flashlight, Do Not Disturb Mode, Device Control, and Camera. At the moment it looks like it is no longer supported, but that may change in the future.
Along with the customization options, there is also a change in how lock screen shortcuts are enabled. With custom shortcuts enabled, Mishaal Rahman had to hold down the keys to start the action. This brings the feature more in line with the iOS lock screen, where you also have to hold down buttons to activate it. This is probably to reduce casual contact.
Renovation of style and wallpaper
The Wallpaper & Style app, launched by long-pressing an empty spot on your home screen, takes over the look with the QPR2. Mishaal Rahman and whistleblower Kuba Wojciechowski were able to activate a redesigned version of the app, which consists of two tabs: the lock screen and the home screen.
The Lock Screen tab gives you the option to change the lock screen shortcut keys as mentioned in the previous section. The home screen area remains largely as you know it, allowing you to toggle dark mode on and off and change the grid size for icons. Note that the color and theme options are only missing because the trial where the feature is enabled doesn't support your material.
When you change your wallpaper in this revamped interface, you also get a new skin that automatically opens in full screen. You can switch between the home screen and lock screen at the bottom and set the wallpaper with a button at the top right.
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Multitasking with multiple instances of the same application
A new experimental flag makes it easier to multitask with multiple instances of the same app. This is probably mostly true of big-screen devices like the Google Pixel Fold or the rumored Google Pixel Tablet. When this option is enabled, a button appears in the Recent menu that allows you to view windows from a single application only. For example, if you have multiple instances of Chrome open, it's easier to switch between them.
Hub mode settings for Pixel Tablet
It's almost confirmed that the upcoming Google Pixel tablet will support a rotation mode that will make it look more like a smart display when placed. Mishaal Rahman managed to enable the relevant Hub Mode settings panel, which encapsulates all the options for the Hub experience. You can change which Google Assistant notifications and reminders you see there, which screen recording options to enable, and whether or not you want the Pixel to act as a cast recipient. Note that the options aren't necessarily specific to the Pixel tablet; possibly also for other tablets.
Movie wallpapers may only be available for Pixel tablets
When Google was working on the initial release of Android 13, the company was working on 3D wallpapers with "cinematic" effect. Apparently, the feature turns the images you select into 3D-enhanced versions that create a parallax effect when you move your device. According to Mishaal Rahman's latest findings, these wallpapers may be exclusive to the Pixel tablet and other big-screen devices.
The new taskbar for tablets and foldables disappears again
In other tablet news, the new "transition" taskbar is no longer visible by default, as was the case in the second beta of QPR2. Instead, it should be enabled with a boot flag. Therefore, the behavior returns to what it was in the first beta. Unlike the standard taskbar, scrolling automatically disappears when not in use. However, we expect it will return for the Google Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
bug fixes and more
There are conflicting reports on Reddit about Google One VPN crashing in the previous beta. Some people on older Pixel phones can now use Google's premium VPN again, while some on the Google Pixel 7 and Google Pixel 7 Pro still say it doesn't work reliably. This is particularly annoying for those using the newer Pixel phones as VPN is offered as a free option.
We can also confirm that the launcher search is fully functional again. In Beta 2, the UI would crash multiple times when starting a quest and then scrolling down. This is no longer the case in Beta 3.
In addition, dozens of other bug fixes and improvements have been added with this release. You can read all about it in the Android 13 QPR2 Beta 3 release notes published by Google.
Join the beta program to live at the cutting edge of technology yourself
If you want to try the new QPR beta, be sure to read how to download and install the Android 13 beta. Note, however, that you may encounter a bug or two that you won't find in the stable release. After all, these releases are specifically designed to fix bugs before they reach the final version. It's best to only do this if you have a second phone that you can rely on in an emergency.
With Beta 3 now complete, we should soon see the stable release of QPR2 in the form of the Android 13 March Feature Drop. It should arrive early next month.
