The latest update, Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1, is now accessible to beta testers and includes the June Pixel Feature Drop. It offers the February security patches and addresses the unintentional release of Circle to Search to non-beta users. This update is identified by the build number AP21.240119.009 and uses Play Services version 23.50.14. Google’s beta program is now focusing on Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) models which are branded as Pixel Feature Drops, until Android 15 arrives. The previous release, Android 14 QPR2, or the March 2024 Feature Drop, has been updated and deemed stable. This has led to the end of the beta program and the commencement of a new one. The announcement of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 was made on Reddit today. Although the major user changes expected with the June Pixel Feature Drop are not yet live, the new version offers beta testers a preview of Circle to Search, which was recently rolled out to Pixel 8 users. The update is initially for the Pixel 8 series, but will eventually be available to all eligible devices enrolled in the beta program, starting with the Pixel 5a.
Google is introducing a new Android feature called Circle to Search, which enables AI to locate information on your screen. Today’s update has a build number of AP21.240119.009 and uses Play Services version 23.50.14. The Google Play System Update version continues to be listed as November 2023, suggesting that the January update patch may not have been released. Nonetheless, this new firmware includes the February security patches that were recently rolled out to the stable version. The release notes are brief and convey an apology for accidentally allowing regular users to access Circle to Search before beta testers: Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 resolves the following issue and includes other improvements not listed here. Thus far, it has been observed that the update installs faster, although it is approximately 237MB on the Pixel 6 and 301MB on the Pixel 8 Pro. It appears that the optimization of the Google program has commenced again with this version. Mishaal Rahman’s detailed Twitter thread highlighting the changes found in this release is expected to be available later today as he works on a post outlining some of the key points. For those interested, it may be worth visiting the Android Police homepage in an hour or so, as well as other publications supported by Rahman, such as Android Central and Android Authority. If you wish to explore this new version yourself, simply sign up for the Android Beta program and navigate to Settings → System → System updates on your Pixel to install it. Alternatively, if you prefer the manual method, Google has already released factory images and OTA files. Happy flashing! Thank you: Eduardo and Moshe
