Android 16 is EVOLVING: Beta 2 Breakdown (Everything NEW) | Highlights and Annotations by Gistr.

Android 16 beta 2 introduces a new home screen widget allowing quick switching between user profiles and accessing account settings. Additionally, a new settings menu option lets users choose to open the wallet app instead of the camera app with a double press of the power button, similar to iOS's Apple Wallet functionality.The double-press power button feature now offers the option to launch the wallet app, providing flexibility alongside the existing camera shortcut. Minor UI changes include darker setting submenus and a new animation for the Pixel 9 series's unlock widget. The OS name has changed from Android 15 to Android Baklava under the system tab in settings. Several bugs have been fixed, including UI crashes in webviews, device freezes during calls, and Google Home app crashes. However, a previous beta's issue with dark font SL text for date and time persists. Android 16 beta 2 includes camera enhancements such as hybrid auto exposure for more nuanced brightness control, precise color temperature and tint adjustments for professional video apps, and adjustments to the motion photo capture pipeline for easier developer access.Android 16 introduces changes to how audio and picture profiles are handled, allowing streaming apps to dynamically apply picture profiles to individual media pieces for better color accuracy and brightness optimization depending on content type.A new system setting lets users choose between metric, US imperial, or UK imperial measurement systems. A new live wallpaper framework with a content API aims for seamless user experience. Finally, a new resource estimation metric for games and high-performance apps aims to improve performance and battery life by better communicating available GPU and CPU resources. The Android 16 beta is publicly available via OTA update for Pixel 6, 7, 8, 9 series, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold devices. Early testing indicates good stability and performance, but reverting to the stable Android 15 build requires a factory reset. Google aims for an earlier release of Android 16 to align with the flagship Pixel release schedule, targeting platform stability in March and a full release after April. A potential release at Google I/O in May is speculated. Android 16 beta 2 focuses on backend updates and stability improvements, with more consumer-facing changes expected. The video concludes by inviting viewers to share their thoughts and opinions on the current beta and their hopes for the full release.