Android 13 is Out of Beta, Rolls Out to Pixel Phones — How About Other Devices?

Google Pixel users will now be able to get their hands on Android 13.

Android 13 has come out of beta and has begun rolling out on Google Pixel devices beginning Monday, while other Android devices such as Samsung, ASUS, Nokia, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Sony, Xiaomi and other smartphones and devices receiving the update later this year. The newest version of Google's mobile operating system offers better privacy controls, a new photo picket, Bluetooth LE audio, and personalization options.

What to Expect with Android 13 on Pixel Phones

One of the more exciting updates arriving with the Android 13 on Google Pixel is messaging app streaming, which enables users to cast their messaging apps to their Chromebooks so they can chat with their friends on their laptops, Engadget reported. Google explained that the feature works with Messages "and many of your other favorite messaging apps."

Google has also improved on inter-device copy and paste, which has become easier. The tech company said that users will soon be able to copy content such as URL, picture, text, or even video from their Pixel phones or Android smartphones and paste it on their tablet or vice versa.

Android 13, which is now on Pixel phones and is coming soon to other Android smartphones soon provides features that make the new mobile operating system look and feel refreshed, such as an animated progress bar in the updated media playback box on the lock screen. There's also the QR code scanner shortcut.

Google said that an array of other improvements will also arrive on the L version of Android, which was specifically designed to improve navigation on devices with larger screens and make it more intuitive. Meanwhile, Android 13 users will notice HDR video capability on third-party camera apps and support for braille displays for Google's screen reader Talkback and an update media output switcher.

Google Shows off Android 13 Improvements Inspired by Apple's Ecosystem Integrations

In January, The Verge reported on how Google planned to update their mobile operating systems to compete with Apple's ecosystem integrations, which can now be seen on Android 13. The update features support for spatial audio with head tracking, a technology designed to have the appearance of a sound coming from a fixed point in space when the user moves their head while wearing compatible headphones, much like Apple's AirPods.

Android 13 users on Pixel phones will also now be able to set languages on a per-app basis and features a redesigned media player that changes its appearance based on what song is playing. Meanwhile, it also provides support for Bluetooth Low Energy for better sound quality at lower bitrates, improved multitasking on large screens, and more.

For those who are interested, Google has published a support page where users can find out which Pixel phones are receiving the Android 13 update, including Pixel 4, 5, and 6. The company also established a developer page where users can download the images before the update is installed on the device. Users should also know that upgrading to Android 13, specifically with a factory image, cannot be reversed, meaning that a bootloader update included with Android 13 will prevent users from going back to Android 12.