Since the deployment of the public beta, several users have had the opportunity to test Android 12. They will have noticed the significant changes made to the new operating system from Google. Thus, we discover audio improvements, better management of verified links or a new display mode for notifications. But the changes don't stop there! In addition to offering us a new interface, Android 12 also has new features in store for us.
Put your theme in the colors of your wallpaper
The first thing that jumps out at you when you discover Android 12 is its interface, which has undergone an overhaul. This new interface is called Material You and it offers you many possibilities for customizing your smartphone.
With Material You, you can access clock customization options for the lock screen, but not just that! It also allows you to apply a system theme based on the wallpaper you have chosen. This new feature is based on artificial intelligence. Thanks to its AI, Material You can analyze the colors in your image for use in the system theme if you want.
To access this option, press and hold your finger on an empty space on your home screen. Then select “Wallpaper & Style. »Android 12 will automatically generate 4 different themes based on your wallpaper. All you have to do is choose. If you don't like the themes offered, you can create your own theme by selecting 4 colors to apply to your system among those offered by Android 12.
Easier searches
Today, we can hardly do without our smartphones. These devices are no longer only used to call our loved ones. We use them to take photos, work, store our data or do research.
Google paid particular attention to this last point in updating its operating system. The web giant has indeed developed an option specially designed to facilitate our research. Indeed, this version arrives with a search bar that incorporates a brand new option. Right next to the mic designed for voice search, you'll see a camera icon. It's actually a shortcut to Google Lens.
With this feature, visual search will be greatly facilitated. You just need to take a picture of any object to get information about it. Note that this icon can also be used to scan QR codes.
Control your privacy
With the update of its new operating system, Google is making your privacy a priority. The web giant has introduced what is called the “Privacy Dashboard” in Android 12. To put it simply, it's a privacy dashboard that will give you more control over your privacy.
The Privacy Dashboard will allow you to identify the applications that have permission to access your location, your camera or your microphone. From this dashboard, you can set the permissions you grant to the apps that are on your device.
To access the Privacy Dashboard, go to your smartphone settings. Enter “Privacy” and open “Privacy Dashboard. "
A new facial detection mode
Sometimes, when using our smartphone while lying down, it happens that the screen of this one performs an automatic rotation. This can be very annoying, especially when you don't need it. Of course, there is a mode that allows you to block automatic rotation.
Well, with Android 12, Google is taking it a step further by using machine learning to manage your screen rotation. Thanks to this technology, your phone will be able to detect the orientation of your face in relation to the screen. Thus, it will block the automatic rotation when it sees that your face is facing it.
To activate facial detection, go to your smartphone's settings. Then click on the button dedicated to automatic rotation. There you can activate facial detection.
Make more accurate long page screenshots
Screen capture is an option built into all smartphones. For some time now, it has been possible to take long page screenshots. On Android 12, Google decided to revisit this feature to make it more efficient and accessible.
To take a screenshot, you usually have to press the button to lower the volume and the start button at the same time. At the time of capture, you will see a “Capture more” option appear. »It will allow you to take long page captures.
Now with Android 12 this feature comes with a zoom that allows you to set more precise borders as you capture.
Access applications faster
Android 12 is coming with a feature designed to help you access certain apps faster. To find out, go to the Google Play Store. If you have a smartphone that already has Android 12 installed, you will see a small lightning bolt icon that appears in the “Install” button of some apps.
This icon is specially reserved for video games. Well, it corresponds to the “Play as you download. This literally means that you can play the game you are downloading before it is even finished downloading! This option is currently only available with certain titles.
Control access to your microphone or camera
Also in the interest of protecting your privacy, Google has added two new buttons in the notifications panel of Android 12. The first button is designed to temporarily block access to your smartphone's camera. The second, meanwhile, will do the same, but this time with the microphone.
To access it, you just have to pull down the notifications panel. Then press one of the two buttons to activate or deactivate the microphone or the camera of your smartphone.
Through this feature, Google wants to offer “more transparency and control while ensuring the security of their devices and their data” to users.
A new Internet panel
Android 12 comes with a new internet panel which users should like. This option is also accessible via the notifications panel where it appears as a button. Clicking on it will take you to a panel that now groups access to mobile data and Wi-Fi.
It should be noted that Google has also launched an option designed to facilitate Wi-Fi sharing simply. Thanks to a QR code system directly integrated into your smartphone, Android 12 offers you the possibility of sharing your Wi-Fi code. You can even use proximity sharing to share your Wi-Fi connection.
Simplified access to widgets
Google has decided to change the way you access your widgets. Now on Android 12 it will be greatly simplified. Indeed, with this new version of the operating system, you will be able to organize your widgets by categories.
These widgets will be organized in a kind of horizontal carousel. By clicking on one of them, you will see the list of applications classified therein. On the other hand, you will be entitled to a fully dedicated search bar that will make it even easier to find widgets.
A one-hand fashion to discover
For this new feature, Google was inspired by Apple. The tech giant has decided to integrate one-handed mode on Android 12. This option is accessible by sliding your finger down on the navigation bar at the bottom of the screen.
Your display will decrease and it will descend to the lower half of the screen. This mode will be canceled after a few seconds of inactivity. You can also choose to activate the option "Exit mode when switching applications." "
Of course, Android 12's features don't stop there! If you're using an Android device, you'll still have a lot to discover in the new update. These include the hibernation of applications, the improvement of Picture in Picture or even the game mode.
In terms of compatibility, nearly twenty smartphones are currently compatible with Android 12. For example, we find the Google Pixel 3, the Xiaomi 11 or the OnePlus 9 Pro