Last week, Google published the second Developer Preview of Android 13, which included a slew of updates and new capabilities, some of which aren't quite ready for prime time. The update contains code pointing to a future redesign of Android's built-in screen savers, which might appear in further beta versions or the final version of Android 13.
Screen savers have been supported by Android for years, even though they aren't required (or even helpful at all) on most mobile devices. However, there are certain improvements in Android 13 that are aimed explicitly at desktop PCs, and a renewed emphasis on screen savers might be part of that effort. Android 13 is said to include new classes in its source for 'complications,' which appear to be data overlays.
Wear OS, Google's wristwatch software platform, also includes little information panels known as 'complications.' They'll most certainly serve the same role here, with Android 13 already providing code for air quality, "cast info" (probably Chromecast), date, time, and weather issues.
The new screen saver code may be tied to Android 13's increased desktop compatibility, but it may also aid in the unification of Android's multiple code bases. For example, if Android can make photo wallpaper screen savers with weather and other data accessible, Google won't need to create a separate version for Android TV and Google TV.
Runtime permissions for app alerts, enhanced Japanese text wrapping, a new Text Conversion API for languages like Japanese, COLR typefaces, MIDI 2.0, Bluetooth LE Audio, and other modifications are also included in Android 13 Developer Preview 2. More information and download links for Pixel devices may be found in our main Android 13 Developer Preview 2 article.
Google is anticipated to release the first Android 13 Beta in April, with a stable release following in July. Android 12 was launched in October of last year, and Android 11 was released in September of 2020, thus Android 13 will most likely follow the same trend.
