Google has announced the release of the second beta for Android 16, bringing a host of new features and enhancements to eligible Pixel devices. This update includes improvements to media and camera capabilities, accessibility enhancements, as well as performance and compatibility tweaks.
The beta is now available for Pixel 6 and newer smartphones, Pixel Tablet, and Android Emulator. Users enrolled in the Android Beta Program can expect to receive the updates as an OTA download.
The camera enhancements in this beta release feature hybrid auto exposure, precise color temperature and tint adjustments, motion photo capture, and support for Ultra HDR images in HEIC format. Google is also working on adding AVIF support for Ultra HDR in future builds.
Color temperature and tint adjustments in Android 16 Beta 2
Additionally, Android 16 Beta 2 introduces custom graphical effects with the Android Graphics Shading Language (AGSL), offering effects like Threshold, Sepia, and Hue Saturation that can be applied to draw calls.
Other features in this beta include granular health and fitness permissions, enhanced security measures against Intent redirection attacks, and an updated 16 KB page size compatibility mode that supports apps built for 4KB memory pages.
16 KB page size compatibility mode on Android 16 Beta 2
Accessibility improvements to TalkBack, support for elements with multiple labels, and better support for expandable UI elements have also been added. Streaming apps on Android 16 now have the ability to adjust video quality dynamically based on device capabilities.
