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Android 12's Material You Clock app works on older versions (APK Download)
Too bad those new widgets don't
Unless you have a spare lying around to be your real phone, I wouldn't recommend installing beta software on a device that you depend upon. But that's what we're here for! Android 12's version of the reliable Clock app is looking good in the latest beta. And it turns out that it looks pretty good on Android 11, too, because you can install the new APK from the updated version on older builds.
Android 12's release candidate gets more Live Space features up and running
Except the widget's seemingly broken for most beta users
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We're just weeks away from a stable build of Android 12 hitting smartphones, which means all of the final additions are falling into place. One of the tools we've been excited to try out for ourselves is Live Space, replacing the old At A Glance widget on Pixels. We finally have a new look at the feature, but we'll have to keep waiting for a future update to experiment with everything it'll offer.
Here's what Android 12's new Private Compute Core is actually going to do
Google's opening up features that live under the rebranded name for public review, with more planned for later
Yesterday, when Android 12 Beta 5 rolled out, we spotted an apparent rebranding for Google's old Device Personalization Services, picking up the new Private Compute Core name. The stuff actually in that section of Settings remained the same, though, and Google told us the name would be a thing back when it announced Beta 2. Now the company is sharing more about its plans and what, precisely, a "Private Compute Core" means.
Android 12 may warn you it's slowing down your Pixel's charging due to heat
The behavior itself might be old, but the notification would be new
According to a teardown, Android 12 Beta 5 has a new feature that joins the existing Adaptive Charging improvements that debuted in prior Betas. According to some strings spotted, Pixels running Android 12 may show a notification that explains that it will "limit charging to help preserve battery health" when your phone is overheating.
Android 12 follows up on its last Easter egg with a new Paint Chip widget
Turns out Material You is perfect for would-be designers
If you thought Android 12's Easter egg felt lacking compared to the offerings from years past, you probably weren't alone. While the fancy Material You clock was fun enough on its own, it seemed like it was missing some special touch to compete with Google's previous hidden secrets. With the latest release candidate, Google added a little something extra to its Easter egg, though you'll need to know where to look to find it.
On Android 12 Beta 5, the Pixel Launcher's search bar can find (almost) anything
Say hello to semi-universal search in the Pixel Launcher
Search is an almost universal element of human interface design, but it's still largely limited by context. In Android 12 Google has been expanding that to allow a single search from the home screen cover everything — your apps, contacts, settings, and wider content from the web via a link. While we've seen glimpses of this functionality in earlier betas, Beta 5 seems to be opening it wide.
Google rebranding Device Personalization Services as Private Compute Core in Android 12 hints at further changes to come
Right now it's just a name change, but it could mean more later
When Google announced the Android 12 Beta back in May, one tiny change slipped in under the radar and didn't actually show up until today. As part of the privacy-centric changes in Android 12, Google said it would roll out a new "Android Private Compute Core," in charge of on-device AI features like Live Caption, Now Playing, and Smart Reply. Well, the feature is now "live" in Android 12 Beta 5, but it's basically just a rebranding of the existing Device Personalization Services — though it might mean more later.
Android 12 Beta 5 moves home controls where they should have been from the start
They're hanging out on the lock screen next to the Google Pay shortcut
With its latest, and very possibly last, update to the Android 12 beta, Google is adding in a lot of creature comforts that flesh out the operating system's user interaction. One of the most handy is home controls (AKA device controls), quick links to your most-used actions for controlling a smarthome. Previously (and distractingly) placed in the power menu, they seem to have a much more easy-to-reach home now: right no the lock screen.
Your high school math teacher probably once claimed you wouldn't always have a calculator on you to solve complicated algebra equations. Not only were they completely incorrect, but Google's calculator app is one of the best ways to add, subtract, and multiply to your heart's content. With Android 12 just weeks away from bringing Material You to the masses, it seems a redesign is finally in order.
Android 12 debuts its beautiful new Material You Clock widgets
Plus a tweaked UI in the v7 update for the Clock app
One of the details that Google teased back when Material You was first shown off is a redesigned set of widgets for the built-in clock app. Like other Material You-themed bits, the widgets looked like they'd pick up colors dynamically based on the theme that Android 12 generated for a given wallpaper. As of Beta 5 and v7 of the Clock app, the new widgets are live — and they're rad. Paired with the change is a Material You redesign for the Clock app itself.
Android 12 Beta 5 fixes the annoying square search bar
Back to rounded edges with the new universal search, which is also now live
Among the more vexing changes in the Android 12 Betas to date has been the apparent bug that caused the search bar/widget built into the Pixel Launcher to lose its curves, not just appearing as a hard-edged square but with an off-center Google logo, to boot. As far as pedantically tiny frustrations go, it was maddening. Android 12 Beta 5 thankfully fixes that problem, and it looks like it won't be an issue when it hits stable.
Android 12 is 'just a few weeks away' as release candidate Beta 5 lands with Pixel 5a support
The stable release is just around the corner
Android 12 Beta 5 is here. For those that haven't been following along at home, this is the last expected release before it hits stable and is ready for the masses — a so-called "release candidate" version that should be almost good to go. This latest version also picks up support for the brand new Pixel 5a, and it's your last chance to get those beta-testing toes wet before Android 12 is released. On that note, Google also gives us a hint about its schedule, promising that Android 12 is "just a few weeks away."
Pixels are getting Adaptive Charging improvements with Android 12
This should help you eke a little more life out of your Pixel's battery
Google introduced Adaptive Charging with its Pixel Feature Drop in December of last year, and it works much like similar utilities on iPhones and other Android phones. If you plug in overnight, like most people, it's supposed to fast charge your Pixel up to 80% and then slows things down so it doesn't reach 100% until just before you wake up. Up to now, the feature has been a little too conservative, but it looks like Google is rectifying this with Android 12.
Most of Android 12's visual changes have been pretty well-received overall, but a few of the tweaks have gone just a step too far. With the more prominent focus on widgets, the ability to resize how they appear on your home screen is essential, but if you're struggling to see an outline on the grid, that's not doing you any favors. Luckily, the latest Android 12 beta makes the widget resizer much easier to use, though you'll lose out on some color as a result.
Screenshots are the perfect method for saving memes and troubleshooting your parents' tech problems, but without quality editing tools, they're simply no good. Android 12 has done an excellent job streamlining its edit suite for your captures, and with this week's latest beta, it's picking up an extra splash of color.
Google renames its smart home controls in Android 12 (again)
They're still stuck in the quick settings panel
Google moved all of its smart home controls from the power menu to a new toggle back in Android 12 Beta 2, and in this week's update, it's gaining a new — or rather, old — name.
Android 12 Beta 4 reveals more changes for enhanced search bar functionality
It's still not user-facing, but more of it works now
Android 12 has at least one more hidden trick up its sleeve, and that's the long-rumored search universal changes for the launcher — which may even at least partially extend to third-party launchers via a new API. The new feature still isn't user-facing, but it's getting closer, and the folks at XDA Developers have been able to enable more functionality for the new search system in Android 12 Beta 4.
Good riddance to bubbles as Google's dialer app starts adopting 'chips' on Android 12
Goes great with fish
"Chat heads" have been roundly criticized by Android users as one of the most annoying user experiences and design aspects on the platform. Those peeved by the so-called bubbles may soon find at least some relief with Android 12, as Google's dialer app looks to go in a new direction with chips.
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Although it's pretty easy to get Android 12's beta up and running on any recent Pixel device, it's not something every user should do. Each update brings about a new round of improvements to system stability, but things can get broken along the way. If you rushed out to install Beta 4 this week, only to find your trusty VPN was no longer functioning, just know you aren't alone.
Android 12 Beta 4 brings better theming and dark mode support to Settings
Plus some consistency and readability tweaks
Android 12 Beta 4 is polishing up the experience ahead of the stable release, and included in this latest version are some adjustments to the Settings menu that make it easier to read a few things in dark mode/theme, with better highlights for important toggles, and improved consistency for how those toggles look, plus a couple of theme tweaks.