As part of its ongoing Android testing cycle, Google has released the second beta version of Android 17 for eligible Pixel devices enrolled in the Android Beta programme. The update builds on the first beta rolled out earlier this month and focuses on performance, smoother user experience, and efficiency improvements.
The company is also targeting platform stability by the middle of next month.
Android 17 Beta 2 features and improvements
In a post on the Android Developers blog, the US-based tech giant confirmed that Android 17 Beta 2 introduces several core functionality, privacy, performance, and system-level UI updates.
One of the key additions is the ability to create app bubbles. Testers can trigger floating bubbles by long-pressing an app icon in the pinned taskbar. This allows apps to open in a multi-window format, improving multitasking and organisation. Users can move these bubbles around the screen. Google plans to expand this feature to tablets, smartphones, and foldable devices running Android 17.
The update also brings a new “system-level” EyeDropper API. This tool allows developers to let apps request a colour from any pixel on the screen. It works without requiring “sensitive screen capture permissions”.
Android 17 Beta 2 introduces a revamped contacts picker. It provides temporary read-only access to fill specific data fields based on user requests. The company says this reduces the need for broader permissions.
Another addition is the Handoff API. This lets users pause a task on one Android device and continue it on another. For example, a user can switch from a phone to a tablet to read on a larger screen. It works similarly to Apple’s Handoff feature, which allows smooth transitions between iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
Google has also expanded SMS OTP protection to cover all types of OTP messages to reduce OTP hijacking. Apps without permission to access WebOTP format messages can access them after 3 hours from the time the OTP was received.
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