Connect with us

Android

All the Key Features of Android 12

Published

on

Android 12 Developer Preview 1 for OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro

All the Key Features of Android 12.

Android 12 which is the new operating system brings significant visual upgrades and more security-focused features that keep you in charge of your privacy.

All the key features of Android 12

Visual Design Changes

The new OS brings in a new design concept called the Material You. This design is meant to be more expressive and humanistic.

  • Personalization is a significant aspect of Android 12, and the OS alters the UI colours, shapes, lighting, and motion in this regard. The most noticeable change is the UI’s new adaptive colour palette.
  • The system will pick dominant and complementary colours based on your wallpaper and apply them across the entire OS, including the notifications shade, volume controls, lock screen, and more.
  • The Android 12 design is now more expressive. So shapes and colors will both play an important role in the UI.
  • Quick Settings
  • On Android 12, the Quick Settings panel aspires to be a true control panel. In this regard, the buttons have grown in size, and the panel has been expanded.
  • Android 12 introduces Google Pay and Home Control buttons, as well as two privacy-focused toggle buttons, Camera and Microphone Access. These two access buttons can be used to revoke system-wide rights for the two sensitive senso controllers.
  • Power Button
    The power button now brings up Google assistant.

All the key features of Android 12

Faster & More Efficient

Android 12 has faster and smoother animations. Sameer Samat, VP of Product Management, Android & Google Play reveals, “This was achieved by some under-the-hood improvements including reducing the CPU time needed for core system services by up to 22% and reducing the use of big cores by the system server by up to 15%.”

Security & Privacy Features

  • The new Privacy dashboard is the most significant addition. Over the course of 24 hours, Android 12 will provide a pie chart showing the quantity of data requests made by your installed apps. You can modify permission settings for any app from the same dashboard panel, giving you more control over your data.
  • The new camera and microphone indicator in the upper right corner is also a welcome improvement. The indicator will light up every time your camera or microphone is used, alerting you that the sensor is active.
    You can also disable system-wide access to these sensors using the Camera and Microphone Access buttons in the Quick Settings window.
  • Android 12 has a new approximate location permission setting that only discloses your approximate location. This will be useful for apps that don’t require you to communicate your exact position, such as the weather.
    Key AI processes are also isolated in a separate, secure location within your system with the new OS. All audio and language will be handled by Android 12’s Android Private Compute Core will handle all audio and language processing for Live Caption, Now Playing, and Smart Reply.

The Android 12 Beta is already live on Pixel and a number of other smartphones from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, OPPO, OnePlus, ASUS, and Samsung.

Also read: OxygenOS 11.0.1.1 for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series

If you have any issues follow me on Instagram or join our Telegram GroupFor the latest TechNews and Reviews, follow Techibee on TwitterFacebook, and subscribe to our Youtube channel

Ashok Mor (also known as TechiBee) owns a YouTube channel named TechiBee. He has been providing various tips, tricks and latest tech videos in the world of smartphones.

OxygenOS

OxygenOS 16.1 Update for OnePlus 13 Series Brings Smoother Animations, AI Features, and New Camera UI

Published

on

OnePlus smartphone displaying the OxygenOS 16.1 lock screen music player and live activity interface with improved animations highlighted.

OxygenOS 16.1 Update Rolls Out for OnePlus 13 Series

OnePlus has officially started rolling out the stable OxygenOS 16.1 update for the OnePlus 13 series, introducing a wide range of visual improvements, AI-powered tools, smoother animations, and camera enhancements. The latest update is based on Android’s May 2026 security patch and is currently arriving for OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13S users.

The update package is around 2.10GB in size and focuses heavily on refining the overall user experience. From redesigned lock screen animations to upgraded AI translation features, OxygenOS 16.1 appears to be one of the most polished software updates released by OnePlus so far.

Major UI and Animation Improvements

One of the biggest highlights of OxygenOS 16.1 is the smoother system-wide animation engine. App opening and closing animations now feel significantly more fluid, while floating window transitions and multitasking interactions have also been optimized.

OnePlus has also introduced a frosted glass-inspired design across the notification panel and control center. Transparency effects now look cleaner and more modern, giving the interface a premium appearance.

The lock screen has received notable changes as well. Notifications and live activities now appear in a capsule-style layout, allowing users to switch between activities with swipe gestures. The clock animation dynamically resizes when media controls or notifications expand, creating a more seamless visual experience.

AI Translation and Smarter Features

The OxygenOS 16.1 update brings upgraded AI translation capabilities. Users can now translate restaurant menus and foreign-language text directly through the camera application. The feature can even categorize menu items such as drinks, vegetables, and meat automatically.

Offline translation support has also been added, allowing users to download language packs for use without internet connectivity. This can be particularly useful for travelers.

Another useful addition is the enhanced document scanning tool. Users can scan multiple pages continuously, remove glare and shadows, extract tables using AI, and export scanned documents directly into editable formats. The system can even automatically remove unwanted objects such as fingers appearing in scans.

Camera and Home Screen Upgrades

The camera application has received a refreshed layout with controls repositioned for easier access. Camera modes such as Video and Portrait are now placed at the bottom for faster navigation. Additionally, users can now create and save custom presets inside Master Mode for quick access later.

Home screen customization has also improved with new organization options. Apps can now be automatically arranged by category or color, making app management more convenient.

Final Thoughts

OxygenOS 16.1 brings meaningful improvements rather than just cosmetic tweaks. With smoother animations, smarter AI tools, upgraded camera controls, and better multitasking visuals, the update significantly enhances the overall OnePlus experience.

Users with the OnePlus 13 series should start receiving the update gradually over the coming days.

Also Read:OxygenOS 17 Features: OnePlus Could Transform Android Experience With These One UI 8.5 Upgrades

Continue Reading

One UI

OxygenOS 17 Features: OnePlus Could Transform Android Experience With These One UI 8.5 Upgrades

Published

on

Samsung Galaxy smartphone displaying One UI 8.5 update widgets and calendar features with bold One UI 8.5 text in the background.

OxygenOS 17 Features Could Finally Redefine the OnePlus Experience

OnePlus users are eagerly waiting for the next major Android update, and OxygenOS 17 features could become a game changer if the company adopts some of the smartest innovations recently introduced in Samsung’s One UI 8.5. From AI-powered call screening to advanced customization tools, Samsung has significantly improved user experience, and many Android enthusiasts believe OnePlus should follow a similar path.

marter Lock Screen and Dynamic UI

One of the standout additions in One UI 8.5 is the adaptive lock screen system. The clock automatically adjusts its position based on the wallpaper layout, creating a cleaner and more modern appearance. Weather animations directly on the lock screen also make the interface feel more interactive and alive. These are the kinds of OxygenOS 17 features users would love to see on future OnePlus smartphones.

Samsung has also redesigned search bars and animations throughout the interface, introducing smoother transitions and pill-shaped UI elements. If OnePlus adopts similar refinements, OxygenOS 17 could deliver a far more premium visual experience.

Advanced Control Center Customization

Another feature that deserves attention is the highly customizable control center. Users can resize quick setting tiles, rearrange layouts, and even modify tile shapes according to personal preference. This level of customization aligns perfectly with OnePlus’ enthusiast-focused audience.

Partial screen recording is another highly useful upgrade. Instead of recording the entire display, users can select a specific area while maintaining custom aspect ratios. Content creators and professionals would greatly benefit from this functionality.

AI Features Could Be the Future of OxygenOS

Artificial intelligence is becoming central to smartphone software, and One UI 8.5 showcases this clearly. Samsung introduced an AI-powered call screening feature that answers calls, identifies the caller’s purpose, and converts speech into text in real time.

The update also includes AI image editing tools that can add objects, pets, or backgrounds directly inside photos using simple prompts. These intelligent editing capabilities could make OxygenOS 17 far more competitive against Samsung and Google Pixel devices.

Better File Sharing and Camera Controls

Samsung has improved cross-platform sharing by enabling easier file transfers with iPhones through Quick Share. Meanwhile, Pro Video mode now allows creators to hide on-screen controls instantly and apply LUT filters directly while editing videos.

If OnePlus introduces similar OxygenOS 17 features, the company could once again become a top choice for Android power users and creators.

Conclusion

OxygenOS has always been known for speed and simplicity, but users now expect smarter AI tools, deeper customization, and refined animations. By incorporating features inspired by One UI 8.5, OxygenOS 17 could become one of the most exciting Android updates in recent years.

Also Read: Google Announces Major Android Updates With Smarter AI Features and Better Cross-Device Connectivity

Continue Reading

Android

Google Announces Major Android Updates With Smarter AI Features and Better Cross-Device Connectivity

Published

on

Android Quick Share interface showing easy and secure photo sharing options on a smartphone.

Android Updates 2026 Bring Smarter AI Features

Android updates 2026 are set to transform the overall user experience with Google introducing several new features focused on artificial intelligence, device connectivity, and stronger security. The latest announcement highlights how Android is evolving beyond smartphones and becoming a connected ecosystem powered by Gemini AI.

Google revealed that Gemini AI will now play a much bigger role across Android phones, cars, watches, tablets, and laptops. The company is aiming to create a seamless experience where users can continue tasks smoothly across multiple devices without interruptions.

Gemini AI Expands Across the Android Ecosystem

One of the biggest highlights from the latest Android update is deeper Gemini AI integration. Google is bringing AI-powered assistance to more devices, including Android Auto and Wear OS. Users will be able to access smarter suggestions, contextual responses, and better voice interactions while driving or using connected devices.

Gemini AI is also expected to improve productivity by helping users manage notifications, messages, and searches more efficiently. Google appears focused on making AI feel more natural and useful in everyday tasks rather than limiting it to standalone chatbot experiences.

Quick Share Gets Better Cross-Platform Support

Google has also improved Quick Share functionality. The updated feature will now support easier file sharing through QR codes, making transfers between Android devices much faster. In addition, Google is working on better compatibility for sharing files with iPhone users, reducing one of the long-standing limitations in the Android ecosystem.

The company says these changes are designed to simplify sharing photos, videos, and documents without depending on third-party apps.

Android Security Features Receive Major Improvements

Security remains another key focus in the latest Android updates. Google announced enhanced anti-scam protection and theft detection features aimed at protecting users from growing cyber threats. These tools will use AI-powered analysis to identify suspicious activities, fraudulent calls, and unauthorized access attempts in real time.

Google is also making it easier for users switching from iPhone to Android by improving the migration process for apps, contacts, and personal data.

Google’s Vision for the Future of Android

With these new upgrades, Google is positioning Android as a smarter and more connected platform powered heavily by AI. The latest Android updates show the company’s strategy of combining security, convenience, and cross-device functionality into a unified experience.

As competition in the smartphone industry continues to grow, these features could help Android users experience better productivity, stronger security, and smoother connectivity in daily life.

Also Read: OxygenOS 16.1 Update Brings Stunning Animations, AI Features and a Revamped Camera UI

Continue Reading