A while back, Google gave Pixel smartphone users new updates by way of Android 14 Beta 5, which featured a sizeable amount of software and security fixes for compatible Google Pixel phones. As we get nearer and nearer to Android 14’s official stable release, Google recently announced Android 14 Beta 5.1, which features some additional patches for software and security.
The new beta update will be compatible with select Google Pixel handsets, which include the Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5 and 5a, Pixel 6, 6 Pro and 6a, Pixel 7, 7 Pro and 7a, as well as Google’s newer phones, the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet. With that in mind, the official Android Developer page lists several fixes which are included with the update, consisting of the following:
- Fixed an issue that caused the system to stop detecting a SIM card if Fixed Dialing Number (FDN) features were enabled.
- Fixed an issue that caused connectivity interruptions for devices with carriers using 5G standalone (SA) mode.
- Fixed an issue for some devices where a blank home screen displayed after unlocking the device.
- Fixed a performance issue by temporarily disabling feather-styled live wallpaper on Pixel Fold. The live wallpaper version will be re-enabled after the other underlying issues are fixed.
Users who want to try out the Android 14 Beta will need to proceed to Google’s Android 14 Beta enrolment page, and sign into their Google account to see which of their devices are compatible with the Beta software. After opting in a device, a user will then be prompted to select the beta program they’d like to enroll in, after which they’ll need to accept the Android Beta Program Terms of Service.
If a user wants to roll back to a stable Android build, they’ll need to wipe their device beforehand, and it is recommended that they back up any important files and data from their device. Not doing so prevent users from un-enrolling to a stable public version of Android. It should also be noted that since this is still a beta version of Android, users might still come across some unexpected issues and difficulties with the update.
In other recent Google news, it looks like the company is preparing to launch SOS satellite messaging for the official Android messages app, and it’s expected that we might see the new feature drop alongside the official Android 14 launch later this year. A recent post shared by user Neil Rahmouni on social media shows that the Google Messages app has tweaked some UI elements, which show conversations and SOS messages via satellite communication.
With that being said, the satellite communication using smartphone hardware has been one of the more popular technological advancements this year, with several brands like Motorola and Bullitt, and even chip manufacturers like Qualcomm and MediaTek investing a lot towards smartphone communication. Of course, Apple also introduced the feature on its iPhone 14 series a while back.
Going back to the Android 14 beta, users enrolled in the program can expect an OTA update which will install the newest software patch on their devices.
