- Google is transitioning Android development entirely to an internal branch.
- While the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) remains accessible, developers will face challenges in tracking and contributing to progress.
- This move aims to streamline Android developement processes but may limit transparency.
In case you didn’t know, Android is inherently open source. This is why it looks so different on a Samsung smartphone than on a OnePlus or a Motorola device. It also allows us to peek into what’s going on and find clues as to what Google is cooking up for the next release. However, that won’t be the case anymore as Google has decided to shift all Android development to a private affair.
Android Authority ‘s Mishaal Rehman discussed the changes Google is bringing to Android development. He outlined that the company has decided to shift all Android OS development to their internal pipeline, moving away from the public branch altogether.
To help you better understand what’s going on here – Google currently maintains two branches of Android development. A public branch where anyone can see the ongoing Android development process, and a private branch which can only be viewed by Google itself, smartphone makers, or anyone with a Google Mobile Services (GMS) license.
Image Credit: Mojahid Mottakin / Shutterstock
As per Rehman , anyone can view and contribute to the public branch, but it is up to Google to accept or decline those changes. However, it is difficult for the company to merge these branches in the end. This often results in issues and conflicts. So, Google will start developing everything internally to make the process more streamlined.
After this news, most things still remain the same. Google will still keep the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) Gerrit available. So, developers and third parties can submit their commits. It wouldn’t affect you as a user , there will still be custom ROMs if you are into them. The only problem that arises is for people like Rehman, who often find new and upcoming features coming to Android.
Like how we report on certain upcoming changes, before there is any sign of it. It would also make it hard for developers to track Android progress and contribute to their projects. Essentially discouraging them from participating in the process. Though I understand why Google is taking this step, it is still quite a disheartening measure on the company’s part.
With over 4 year of experience under the belt, I cover all facets of consumer tech, from smartphones to other consumer electronics, our favorite social media apps, as well as the growing realm of AI and LLMs. As an Apps and AI writer app Beebom, I provide my expertise in all these areas, weaving stories that help you get familiar with the tech around you. But you will find me playing NYT daily puzzles in my free time.
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- Android 16 Beta 3 enables Screen-off Fingerprint unlock on older Google Pixels.
- The feature was previously believed to be exclusive to Pixel 9 series.
- With this, you can now unlock your Pixel phone quickly without AOD and turning on the display.
The next version of Android has reached its final testing phase with the recent Android 16 Beta 3 update. This beta didn’t bring any major upgrades but added many improvements for existing features. Among them, is the screen-off fingerprint feature, which is now available on older Google Pixel phones.
The Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock option in the Fingerprint Unlock settings menu allows users to unlock their Google Pixel phone with the screen off. This means, unlike previously where users had to tap to wake up the screen and then use the fingerprint to unlock, they can now just press on the fingerprint sensor region to unlock the phone.
To enable this feature on Android 16, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Device unlock > Fingerprint Unlock , and turn on the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock toggle under “When using Fingerprint Unlock”. To test it out, ensure Always-on Display is off. Turn off your phone’s screen and press any of your registered fingers in the sensor area. If this is active, your Pixel should automatically wake up and unlock.
For those unaware, Pixel 9 ( review ) series was the first to receive this feature with Android 16 DP 2 . We initially thought the feature would be Pixel 9-exclusive because of its ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. However, the feature is now available on Pixel 6 and newer models, which is a pleasant surprise.
Those who have Always-on display feature enabled can now disable it to save battery life. Instead, they can enable the Screen-off Fingerprint unlock feature for faster fingerprint unlock.
Abubakar covers Tech at Beebom, with his passion for technology tracing back to 2011 when he received a Dell Inspiron 5100 as a gift. He’s also a passionate advocate for the right-to-repair movement, believing in empowering users to maintain and extend the life of their devices. Outside the tech world, he enjoys watching anime and exploring his newfound enthusiasm for Japanese cars. In his free time, you’ll often find him immersed in Genshin Impact or researching his next gadget purchase. Before joining Beebom, he contributed to leading publications like Android Police, How-To Geek, and Fossbytes.
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