Android 12 DP 3: Latest developer preview is live now!
Recognition: Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
- Today, Google launches Android 12 DP 3, the final (planned) preview ahead of the first official beta.
- The latest preview brings a number of new features, including precise control of haptic feedback, templates for app launch, and deeper web linking.
- You can now get this preview on your current Pixel device. However, it is not quite ready to be used as a daily driver just yet.
Just in time for schedule, Google today announced the third developer preview for the latest version of Android, known as Android 12. This latest preview brings a slew of new features to Android 12, as well as the usual stability improvements we’ve come to expect with each new iteration.
If you already have Android 12 DP 2 on your Pixel phone, you may see an OTA notification to upgrade to Android 12 DP 3. If you don’t want to wait, you can always click here to perform a manual upgrade.
Connected: Android 12 functions: Everything has been confirmed and rumored so far
If you don’t already have an Android 12 on your Pixel phone, here are instructions on how to install it. Even with this third preview, Android 12 is definitely not ready to be used as a daily driver. The first beta of the software will be released in May – likely during Google I / O 2021. This will be the first version “stable enough” for general consumers.
What’s new in Android 12 DP 3?
Since this is the final expected preview before the big beta starts next month, there are only a handful of new features here. Some of them are pretty exciting, but Google is likely holding back many of the bigger revelations for beta launching in May.
With Android 12 DP 3, one of the biggest new features is more accurate haptic feedback control. This would allow developers to put precise haptic responses in their apps for both phones and supported gaming controllers. This would enable an even more intense gaming experience, similar to what Sony offers with its PlayStation 5 DualSense controller.
See also: The best games with gamepad support for Android
A standardized app splash screen is introduced elsewhere in this new preview. In Android today, some apps have splash screens and some don’t. Those who have splash screens can be very different from others. Google wants to standardize this, so every app now has a splash screen. Developers can customize the screen in a number of ways if they wish.
Finally, a major update here includes the web link. In Android 12 DP 3, opening a link takes you straight to your default browser regardless of the source of that link. For example, this would change the way links work in shopping apps. Developers can still program their branded links to open in specific apps. However, you need to program this behavior yourself rather than relying on the user to make the decision.
For all other Android 12 updates in this new preview, click here. Stay up to date, we will be informed of any unannounced changes during the day.
