TL;DR
- The source code for Android 16 QPR1 is now available on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) after a weeks-long delay.
- This release gives developers access to the code for new features like Material 3 Expressive and Desktop Mode.
- Custom ROM projects such as LineageOS can now rebase their work on the new code to incorporate these QPR1 features.
When Google released the Android 16 QPR1 update for Pixel devices in early September, its source code was conspicuously absent. This was unusual, as Google traditionally publishes the source code for new Android versions within a day or two of their release. After telling Android Authority it would release the code “in the coming weeks,” the company has now made good on that promise.
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That is significant news for the Android developer and custom ROM communities!
The source code for Android 16 Quarterly Platform Release 1 (QPR1) has finally been released to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), after a noticeable delay.
This release is a major event for the developer community, as it provides the foundation for new features to be integrated into custom Android builds like LineageOS.
Key Takeaways from the AOSP Release
- End of the Delay: Google typically releases the source code to AOSP within days of the public update, but QPR1 was delayed by several weeks. Its release confirms Google is still committed to the open-source nature of Android development.
- New Base for Custom ROMs: Custom ROM developers can now rebase their projects onto the QPR1 source code. This allows them to incorporate the features, bug fixes, and security enhancements from QPR1 into their own releases.
- The Big Features are Here: The QPR1 release includes the code for some of the most anticipated features of the Android 16 cycle that were absent from the initial Android 16 release in AOSP.
Notable Features Included in QPR1’s Source Code
The AOSP release provides the underlying code for a number of enhancements, including:
- Material 3 Expressive (M3E): This is a significant visual overhaul of the operating system’s design language, featuring increased use of animation, colors, and blur for a more “expressive” look.
- Desktop Mode Enhancements: Further refinement and code for the desktop mode, which aims to provide a PC-like multitasking experience when a device is connected to an external display.
- Live Updates/Live Activities: APIs and groundwork for this new class of notifications, which are designed to help users monitor and access important, ongoing activities (like a rideshare or delivery progress) with a persistent, updated status on the lock screen and notification panel.
- Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements: A host of security patches, stability fixes, and performance optimizations that were rolled out to Google Pixel devices in the November Feature Drop.
Would you be interested in learning about AOSP (Android Open Source Project) itself, and its specific role in the Android ecosystem?