<CarlosDev/>

Part 2 of 8

Android 12 Developer Preview 2: effects

17 March 2021. The second preview added RenderEffect blurs, rounded corner APIs, overlay hiding, app checksums, CompanionDeviceService and lock screen authentication for actions.

Developer Preview 2 came out on 17 March 2021, four weeks after the first. It was still for developers only, by manual flash or over the air for anyone already on Preview 1.

Release date17 March 2021; 2.1 on 29 March; 2.2 on 7 April 2021
BuildSPP2.210219.008; 2.1 SPP2.210219.008.A1; 2.2 SPP2.210219.018
Security patchMarch 2021; 2.2 April 2021
DevicesPixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 4a 5G and 5; Android Emulator; Android TV on the ADT-3 kit
How to get itFlash or sideload; over the air from Preview 1 or 1.1
Platform stabilityNo

Preview 2 was about graphics, windows and companion devices:

  • RenderEffect blurs or colour-filters any view in one call (View.setRenderEffect()), and Window.setBackgroundBlurRadius() blurs the window background.
  • Display.getRoundedCorner() and WindowInsets.getRoundedCorner() return a RoundedCorner with its radius and centre.
  • Window.setHideOverlayWindows() hides every TYPE_APPLICATION_OVERLAY window over the app, for screens such as payment confirmation.
  • PackageManager.requestChecksums() returns the digest of an installed app.
  • CompanionDeviceService keeps a watch or tracker app bound while the device is nearby.
  • Notification actions can require authentication when tapped on the lock screen.
  • Auto-enter picture-in-picture on swipe up to home, stashing at the screen edge, and resizing for non-video content.

Google told developers to ship a compatible update by Beta 1, without changing targetSdkVersion. Developer Preview 2.1 updated WebView to fix app crashes. Developer Preview 2.2 fixed a Settings crash in Bluetooth settings, home screen widgets removed by an OTA, and Wi-Fi passwords that were not saved.

Filed under

  • Android
  • Platform APIs
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