Google has released Android 16 Developer Preview 1 as announced earlier about launching two versions of Android API in 2025 with a Major SDK in quarter 2 and a Minor SDK in quarter 4.
Android 16 DP1 serves as a preview of the Major SDK scheduled for release in quarter 2 to align with the launch of new mobile devices by partners in quarter 3, while details about the version number for the upcoming Minor SDK in quarter 4 remain unspecified.
The naming of Android 16’s codename was confirmed to be Baklava from Turkey. The Android 16 logo is designed in the shape of a Baklava pastry, and Google’s code samples use the term (VERSION_CODES_FULL.BAKLAVA), though there is no explanation for the change to the letter B.
Changes in Android 16 DP1 include an Embedded photo picker API allowing apps to embed a photo picker for limited photo-video selection without accessing the user’s entire image library, Health Connect platform adding health record APIs to read health data in FHIR format used in the industry, and an update to Privacy Sandbox for Android.
The Android 16 DP1 image can be downloaded for testing on Pixel hardware and Android Emulator. Google’s release plan includes two DP versions in November-December and four Beta versions each month before the official release by the end of quarter 2, likely around May-June 2025.
TLDR: Google introduced Android 16 Developer Preview 1 with a Major SDK in quarter 2 and a Minor SDK in quarter 4 for 2025, featuring changes like the Baklava codename and new APIs for embedded photo selection and health data access.
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