A week behind the initial schedule, Google released the long-awaited Android 13 update yesterday evening which brings with it the second Feature Drop and the March security patch on currently supported Pixels.
Feature Drops are quarterly updates with which Google introduces new features within the current major release of Android and are usually published on the first Monday of the month in which they are scheduled, however in this case we have seen a slippage of 7 days, probably due to the need to further optimize the software. Let’s see what new features have been introduced.
MARCH FEATURE DROP: THE MAIN NEWS
The list of new functions introduced with the latest Feature Drop is quite substantial and is particularly interesting especially for all those who have one of the Older pixels, since in several cases we find some of the previously exclusive functions of the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro (here our review of the Pro) now also available for older models. In summary we find:
- The new night mode also arrives on Pixel 6 and 6 Prothanks to algorithm optimizations that can now also be used by the Tensor G1
- Pixel 7 and 7 Pro now support Dual eSIMthen it will be possible to use two eSIMs at the same time (only with selected operators)
- The magic eraser feature comes to all Pixels from 4a onwards. This option was already accessible with a Google One membership, but is available for free on supported Pixels
- The At A Glance widget now shows the activated timer on connected Google smart speakers to your account (except on Google Home Max) and allows you to manage them
- The Connect Health app is now pre-installed on Pixels. It could soon be on all Android devices
- The function Direct My Call arrives on all Pixels 4a and up (in the US), Hold for Me arrives in Japan, as well as the US, Australia and Canada
- Pixel 6 Pro and 7 Pro can take advantage of the UWB chip to be used as keys for some newer BMW models (from 2022 onwards)
- New animations when opening the Quick Settings dropdown
- Blocked the ability to take screenshots on the Wi-Fi network access settings screen
GENERAL CORRECTIONS
As usual, the update brings not only new features, but also many bug fixes and other malfunctions of various kinds. The patch list is really full-bodied and we report it below, reminding you that the update is already available in OTA mode on your Pixelas long as it’s a model Pixel 4a or better.
- Applications
- Fixed an issue that caused the Live Translate feature to request translations too frequently in some apps.
- Fixed an issue that occasionally keeps the display on while some app activities are active
- Fixed an issue that occasionally prevented taking screenshots in some apps
- Fixed an issue that occasionally prevents Wallpaper & Style settings from opening.
- Battery and charging
- Fixed an issue that occasionally causes app-specific battery restriction settings to reset after a software update
- Fixed an issue that occasionally prevents Battery Share from charging some devices or accessories.
- General improvements to charging, battery usage, or performance under certain conditions
- General improvements to wireless charging stability or performance under certain conditions
- Biometrics
- Additional improvements for fingerprint recognition and response under certain conditions
- Bluetooth
- Fixed an issue that occasionally prevented Android Auto from connecting wirelessly with some vehicle head units.
- Improvements to connection stability with some Bluetooth LE headsets or accessories
- Camera
- General improvements to camera stability and performance under certain conditions
- Improvements to color accuracy or exposure level when using the front camera under certain conditions
- Displays and graphics
- Fixed an issue that occasionally caused flickering or display artifacts in some applications or conditions
- Fixed an issue that occasionally caused instability or playback errors with some apps or media
- Fixed an issue that occasionally causes the video preview to flicker in some applications.
- framework
- Fixed the issue that occasionally prevents the keyboard from appearing in some applications or conditions
- sensors
- Further adjustments for the intensity and response of the haptics under certain conditions
- General improvements to adaptive brightness response under certain conditions
- System
- Fixed an issue that prevented the device bootloader from unlocking under certain conditions
- Fixed an issue that prevented Android from booting the device under certain conditions
- General improvements to system stability and performance under certain conditions
- Kernel updates to 4.14.295, 4.19.261 , 5.10.149
- Telephony
- General improvements to network connection stability and performance under certain conditions
- Touch
- General improvements to touch response and performance under certain conditions
- User interface
- Fixed an issue that caused some search results on the device to launch some applications in the work profile
- Fixed an issue that caused some text entries in Battery Usage settings to overlap when scrolling
- Fixed an issue that caused the home screen UI to fog up under certain conditions
- Fixed issue causing lag or delays when switching between apps when using third-party launcher apps
- Fixed an issue causing internal launcher icons to occasionally clip after closing a folder.
- Fixed an issue that occasionally caused text entered in the search bar to overlap
- Fixed an issue that occasionally caused clipped or truncated media player notifications to appear
- Fixed an issue that occasionally caused the navigation interface to appear above the Assistant interface
- Fixed an issue that occasionally causes the notification drawer to appear blank or empty
- Fixed an issue that occasionally caused the Overview screen panels to appear above the Home screen
- Fixed issue that causes Quick Settings tiles to occasionally become active while the menu is not pulled down
- Fixed an issue that occasionally causes the unlock screen to overlap notifications, the home screen, or other UI elements.
- Fixed an issue that occasionally causes the silent mode icon to disappear or be missing from the status bar.
- Fix for the issue that occasionally prevents app icon sizes from scaling correctly when changing the display size
- Fixed an issue that occasionally prevented sharing or editing screenshots when tapping overlay buttons.
- Fixed an issue preventing haptics when interacting with the notification drawer under certain conditions
- General improvements to the performance of some UI transitions and animations
- Improved home screen icon behavior when switching between grid sizes
- Improved status bar layout and responsiveness in some device orientations
- Wifi
- General improvements to the stability and performance of the Wi-Fi network connection under certain conditions
- Improvements to connection stability with certain Wi-Fi 6E compatible routers or networks
