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Daily Authority: š Android 13 warms up

ā Good morning! Just as Iām finishing this newsletter, a Sony event was announced for a likely new Xperia phone. I wonder how long itāll take from announcement to shipping, thoughā¦
Android 13

Ooh: Android 13ās beta is no longer just for developers.
What happened:
Google has exited the early developer preview portion of Android 13ās release, moving to a public beta version.
- The short version is that itās not exactly a huge day.
- Itās tough for Android to deliver a ground-shaking round of updates that blow your socks off. Same goes for Apple with iOS.
- Anyway: It may not be just for developers anymore, but it remains just for people with a Google Pixel.
- As a comparison, the first beta release of Android 12 was May 18, so Google is a few weeks ahead of last yearās rollout.
- Thatās attributed to Android 13 not being as big of a step-change, and also getting in ahead of Google I/O next month to start getting the features fully baked.
Whatās new:
- For early adopters, itās a first chance to get a look at whatās already been in the first of two developer previews.
- Google notes that includes: āprivacy features like the new notification permission and photo picker ⦠capabilities like Bluetooth LE [Low Energy] audio and MIDI 2.0 over USB, ā¦new permissions for more granular access to media files, improved audio routing APIs, and more.ā
- Also for developers: āthemed app icons, quick settings tile placement, and per-app language support.ā
- In short, while itās a public beta, itās still more developer-focused.
- A big change in Beta 1 is the change to how permissions are granted for media. Google is essentially trying to limit how much apps can access images, video, and audio, and not grant all permissions just for an app to only use audio.
Behind the scenes
- Aside from what Google puts in its blog and what is obvious at first glance when using a Pixel running Android 13, thereās all kinds of small changes to the UI and UX. For example, many more color/theme options for Pixel themes, the progress bar when youāre playing media is now squiggly, and thereās also a change to the clipboard: anything youāve copied will be cleared after one hour (h/t Mishaal Rahman)
- Again, thatās all in the name of privacy.
- And expect more significant pieces to roll out through the following betas, such as face unlock on the Pixel 6 Pro.
- Google points out itāll be sharing more at Google I/O, as well.
- For now, if youāre up to it, you can get the public beta by enrolling your Pixel here.
- (I did hit up the beta for Android 12, but I wonāt for Android 13. The bugs I encountered, mainly to my continuous glucose monitor setup, mean Iāll just be waiting this one out.)
Also:Google Play Storeās app privacy labels, that show you how apps collect and share your data, have started appearing ahead of a mandatory requirement by July 20.
Roundup
š Sony announces Xperia event for May 11: Xperia 1 IV likely coming next month (Android Authority).
ā This person on Reddit with the Pixel Watch finally got the straps on it, put it on the wrist, and says it looks āgorgeousā (Android Authority).
š Google announced its earnings (revenue up 23% year-on-year, but profits down 8% due to higher costs for traffic acquisition). It also pointed out that the Pixel 6 series is the fastest-selling Pixel line ever, and hinted at announcements of new devices at Google I/O. Pixel 6a, Pixel Watch? (Android Authority).
š Microsoft also reported solid earnings. Brief highlights: Windows and Xbox up 11% thank-you-very-much, Surface up 13%, and 10 million people have streamed games from Microsoftās cloud (The Verge).
š Poco F4 GT launched: The best gaming phone on the market? (Android Authority).
š Hackers successfully duped Google, Apple, Snap, Twitter, Meta, and others into giving up user data (Android Authority).
š Huh: Appleās Studio Displayās poor webcam quality was going to be fixed via the next firmware update. The update is in, and thereās only quite minor quality improvements. Does that mean: a) itās not fixable b) the problem is the ultrawide lens? (9to5Mac).
šø DJI suspends sales in Russia and Ukraine to prevent its drones from being used in combat. Based on whatās uploaded to Twitter and Telegram, thatās shutting the gate long after the horse has bolted⦠(Engadget).
š® Sony is reportedly telling developers to create time-limited demos for their games (Engadget).
š Cover whatever you like in MITās new paper-thin speakers to turn just about anything into a speaker: your bedroom, your silent EV to alert pedestrians, anything (Gizmodo).
š¶ A startup just showed that its blood test for dogs accurately sounds the alarm for aggressive and advanced cancers. The catch? These often have no cure. So, do you want to know? (Wired).
š” Say goodbye to incandescent light bulbs: The phase-out begins today (Gizmodo).
š How to officially submit your emoji idea (Wired).
š“ āWith the passing of Stan Lee, and Betty White, who is Americaās token āOld Personā now?ā (r/askreddit).
Weirdness Wednesday
The other day a nice new vertical mouse dropped from Logitech, as wrist position in our always-tethered lives becomes worth considering as your joints creak and get sore.
Look at how much more ā¦something, this is:

- Sorry, I tried opening my mind but I canāt help but laugh.
- The Kickstarter copy says this new mouse āprevents the fingers from being too warped.ā Itās all very strange!
- Despite my chuckles, it could be something! Most likely, a strange new pain in your hand. But still! Maybe!
- At least you only have to drop $29 to try (plus shipping).
Cheers,
Tristan Rayner, Senior Editor