Android 14 QPR2 will not hit the stable channel until next year March as the first Pixel Feature Drop, but we can already look forward to some new additions to the current stable version when the rollout begins.
The QPR2 Beta 1 introduced a handful of improvements, notably the ability to remove the At a Glance widget on Google Pixel devices. This has been a problem for quite some time, so it’s nice to see that Pixel owners can finally toggle off the widget at will. When the stable version arrives, you can also expect support for per-app screen recording, and a new volume slider — although some of these tweaks may hit the stable channel looking a lot different from what you see in the current QPR2 beta.
With Android 14 QPR2 beta 1.1, which arrived less than a week after the first beta dropped, Google’s focus was on fixing minor bugs introduced in the first beta. An issue that prevented Eufy Security app users from installing the app after the update removed it has now been fixed. And apparently, a hawkeyed Pixel 8 Pro owner also noticed changes to the modem firmware after installing the latest QPR2 Beta 1.1 build.
Although not mentioned in the official changelog, it seems the latest Android 14 beta build also introduces modem updates to the Pixel 8 Pro and presumably the standard Pixel 8 too. The version has been bumped from g5300i-230921-230923-B-10853278 in QPR2 beta 1 to g5300i-230927-231029-B-11019846 in QPR2 beta 1.1.
At this point, it’s unclear what this modem update brings forth. But given some of the network-related issues the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro have had since launch, be it connectivity, battery consumption or even overheating, this news should bring some relief for users.
Generally, though, modem updates are meant to improve mobile network compatibility and connectivity with new internet protocols, which could also suggest 5G support on Google Pixels in new markets. After all, it’s through Android Beta programs that Google adds 5G support for carriers in various countries across the globe.
Hillary Keverenge
2122 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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