Wired Webcam And Battery Health: Here’s What’s New With Android 14 QPR1 Beta

Google just released the Android 14 QPR 1 Beta on September 20, 2023, and it comes with many new features for Pixel and non-Pixel Android users. For instance, a feature that lets people use their phones as webcams, while another allows them to override the aspect ratio for an app. Here’s every new feature that’s part of the Android 14 QPR1 beat.

Convert Your Android Phone Into A Webcam

The Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 has a new feature that allows people to use their phone as a webcam, something we’ve already seen with iOS 16 on iPhones. However, while the former executes the feature through a wired connection, the latter relies on wireless connectivity.

To use the feature, one must plug their Android device into their PC or laptop, and in the menu that shows USB connection options, select “Webcam.” Following the instructions on the screen, one can convert their Android phone into a high-quality webcam for video conferences, online classes, etc.

Although this feature will be a part of the Android 14 source code, implying that it won’t be exclusive to Pixel phones, only OEM can enable or disable it. Currently, the Android 14 QPR1 Beta 1 is available for the Pixel 5a, Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, the Pixel Fold, and the Pixel Tablet.

Override An App’s Aspect Ratio

Another helpful feature in the Android 14 beta update, for large-screen devices like the Pixel Fold and the Pixel Tablet, is the ability to override an app’s native aspect ratio to adjust them to the phone. To do this, users should head to the Settings, Apps, and Aspect Ratio menu containing several settings. Remember that the feature changes the aspect ratio per app.

Users can choose from options like App default, fullscreen, half screen, 16:9, 4:3, and 3:2. Usually, foldable phones and large-screen tablets aren’t built on the same aspect ratio as regular smartphones, which makes certain apps appear with weird black bars on the top or the sides. However, the feature should help users remedy this situation.

Check Your Phone’s Battery Health

Android 14 will also allow users to check their phone’s battery health, battery manufacture date, and cycle count. Users should head to Settings, About phone, and Battery Information to check. The feature will help users monitor their battery health and get timely repairs.

Other features that are limited to Pixel devices include a “Metro” style lockscreen, the ability to bring an app from the main screen to the cover screen (on the Pixel Fold), showing only new notifications on the Lock Screen (Pixel Tablet), and setting different live wallpapers on the lock and home screens.