After five betas, a couple of developer previews, and months of anticipation, it’s time for the Android enthusiast community to wake up to a new, stable version of Google’s operating system. Unfortunately, in a surprising turn of events, the release of Android 14 has been postponed.
Originally slated to release on September 5, this delay has left many tech enthusiasts anxiously awaiting the Android 14. With new features like Magic Compose and redesigning the At-A Glance widget, it’s clear that Google had a lot planned for the latest version of its OS.
A well-known Android researcher, Mishaal Rahman, first brought attention to the delayed release in a post on the X (formerly Twitter) rumor site. Rahman reveals that Android’s smartphone manufacturing collaborators had also assumed the new Android update would be released on September 5. Instead, OEMs were reportedly told that the release would be moved to next month.
The new date is October 4, which coincides with Google’s Pixel 8 launch event. Interestingly, Google typically releases its new Android OS alongside its flagship hardware, which has been the case since the Nexus 5X and 6P era. It needs to be clarified if the Pixel 8 launch event will feature any other software upgrades beyond the ones listed above. However, an image erroneously posted to the Google Store this week inadvertently confirmed the Pixel 8 Pro design and camera layout. The event will likely showcase a full unveiling of the Pixel 8 line of smartphones and a new Pixel Watch.
One other interesting tidbit that could be revealed at the Pixel 8 launch event is a change to how Google will handle its app updates. Based on a commit to the Android repository spotted by 9to5Google, it’s expected that the next major release of Android will block the installation of apps that target older OS versions. This is similar to how the Play Store handles these restrictions, and it will help prevent people from sideloading apps released for older OS versions.
It’s yet to be determined if the October 4 release will also affect how Google controls its APIs, which are used to create the apps that run on Android devices. However, if that is the case, it will be another blow for developers hoping to keep up with Google’s rapid OS releases.
The release of the new Android 14 is still a few weeks away, and we’ll keep you updated as more details surface. In the meantime, you can download and install the latest Android beta by joining Google’s Developer Preview or Pixel phone programs. It’s worth noting that installing a beta build will erase your phone, so proceed with caution.
