Google’s upcoming Android 12 shows up in multiple screenshots

Google is already expected to launch its Android 12 operating system for smartphones later this month as they recently updated its Feedback app. However, usually the search giant shares documentation and source code of the next OS version with major OEM partners beforehand, giving them enough time to prepare for the release. This is done even before it releases its beta versions or the stable version. So now, XDA Developers seems to have obtained some of the screenshots from that document showcasing how the Android 12 UI will look like.

In one of the screenshots, we can see a new notifications panel UI. This time, the transparency is no more as it is replaced by an opaque, light-beige background. The colour variable depends on the current theme and the fact if it's in dark mode or not. From the looks of it, it seems to keep the conversation section the same as before and the separation style as well.

In addition, the Quick Setting tiles shown in the panel are now expanded and have been reduced from six to four, resulting in each icon being slightly larger than before. What's more, is that the position of the date and clock has been swept. And there are some new privacy indicators shown at the top right corner.

That said, it has been mentioned that Google may add new privacy features in Android 12. And you will be able to receive a warning in the form of a status bar indicator whenever the app is using a camera or a microphone. Tapping on that will show you exactly which app is using the handset feature.

Report adds that the new privacy settings may include toggles to disable the camera and mute the microphone entirely in addition to toggling Location access. For now, it is already possible to disable all sensors of your smartphone.

The screenshots also revealed what seems to be a new addition to Android widgets section.

It's worth mentioning that the section seems similar to the widgets introduced in iOS 14. We can see new conversations widget, highlighting the recent messages, missed calls or activity status in the similar design.

It has been speculated that Android 12 might make the ‘conversation’ widget mandatory feature for all devices. The inclusion of camera and microphone indicators might also be mandatory in Android 12. These will show prominently at the top of the screen and will be visible whenever the camera or the microphone is accessed. It might also change the colours based on active or background usage.

All that said, the report still says that it can’t 100% verify the authenticity of these screenshots and documents. So don’t bank all your hopes on these yet.