Google has started rolling out Android 17 Beta 3 to compatible Pixel devices, marking an important milestone in the development of the operating system. The release has reached Estabilidade status from Plataforma, which means that internal and external APIs, as well as application behaviors, are final. From this point on, there should be no changes that affect the compatibility of apps, signaling the ideal time for developers to begin final testing of their tools.
Melhorias on user interface and experience
The update, released four weeks after Beta 2, brings significant refinements to the visual and functional experience. The screen recording toolbar has been redesigned to offer better capture controls and settings, with the interface being automatically excluded from the final video. The feature that turns notifications from any application into floating bubbles is now fully activated, expanding the system’s multitasking capabilities.
A new option allows users to hide app names on the home screen through personalization settings. The system has also improved the experience on external displays, with improvements to the visual consistency of widgets and support for interactive picture-in-picture (iPiP) mode on the desktop, keeping pinned windows interactive and visible.
Avanços in photography, video and image capture
In the media space, the Android 17 Beta 3 introduces advanced features for photographers and content creators. Third-party camera Aplicativos can now capture images in 14-bit per pixel RAW format using the new ImageFormat.RAW14 constant, providing greater detail and color depth on supported sensors. The system’s photo picker has received updates, allowing developers to change the aspect ratio of the grid view from square (1:1) to vertical (9:16).
Parceiros hardware now has the ability to define custom camera extension modes, such as Super Resolução or AI-based enhancements, queryable via API by applications. Novas APIs have also been implemented to identify the type of camera device, distinguishing between integrated hardware, external USB webcams or virtual cameras, creating a more robust capture ecosystem.
Conectividade, improved audio and accessibility
Google has implemented significant improvements to audio device support with a special focus on accessibility. A new device category has been created for Bluetooth LE Audio hearing aids, allowing apps to differentiate these devices from generic headphones and display custom icons. The system provides granular audio routing to hearing aids, allowing users to independently choose whether system sounds should be played through the hearing aids or the phone’s speaker.
A new extended HE-AAC encoder has been integrated into the system, promising significantly better audio quality at both high and low bitrates, crucial for low bandwidth conditions. The encoder includes mandatory support for loudness metadata, ensuring consistent loudness between different content sources. Para VPN users, applications can now direct to a settings screen where you can select which specific applications should bypass the VPN tunnel.
Performance and energy efficiency Otimizações
Energy efficiency has been optimized in this beta version, aiming to extend the battery life of Pixel devices. A new variant for setting exact alarms has been introduced in AlarmManager, designed to reduce power consumption and long partial wakelocks. Essa change particularly benefits applications that require accurate callbacks during Doze or Economia modes of Bateria, such as medical monitors or message sockets held in the background.
- Redução of the impact of background processes on the battery.
- Refinamento of how the system manages tasks when the device is idle.
- Equilíbrio between real-time functionalities and energy efficiency.
Segurança, privacy and future-proofing
User security remains a priority in Android 17, and Beta 3 brings new features designed to protect sensitive data. The system introduces the APK v3.2 signature scheme, which incorporates a hybrid post-quantum cryptography signature, combining classical methods with the ML-DSA scheme. Esta measure aims to prepare applications for advances in quantum computing and ensure long-term packet integrity.
Password visibility settings have been split to provide greater control. On touch inputs, the last character typed is displayed briefly, while on physical keyboards characters remain hidden by default immediately after typing. Desenvolvedores can now embed a system-rendered secure location button in their applications, allowing precise location access only for the current session, eliminating the need for permission dialogs.
The availability of Android 17 Beta 3 represents the final phase of adjustments before the official launch. With platform stability achieved, the focus now turns to fixing bugs and polishing the user experience. Espera The final version of Android 17 is expected to be released in the coming months, reaching compatible Pixel devices first before being adopted by other smartphone manufacturers.