Google releases Android 17 Beta 1 with changes to app orientation, camera performance, and memory management. Install now on compatible Pixel devices.
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Google has released Android 17 Beta 1 after a slight delay, marking the final departure from the Developer Preview format. New features now first go through the continuous Canary channel before reaching the beta testing stage more quickly. Owners of compatible Pixel devices can already install the update via system settings, with the package size around 755 MB. The final release of Android 17, codenamed Cinnamon Bun, is expected in June.
The new beta version brings changes at both the system level and in the interface. Android 17 will no longer allow developers to bypass app orientation restrictions: applications that were previously locked in portrait mode must now properly support landscape orientation and work in multi-tasking windows. Camera performance has also been improved, with switching between lenses now happening without lag or viewfinder jumps. Additionally, Google has optimized memory management, potentially reducing CPU load by up to 10% and potentially improving battery life.
One noticeable visual update is the revamped search bar in Pixel Launcher. It has become slightly wider, gained a semi-transparent background, and lost its colored border. The "G" icon now takes on a shade matching the wallpaper theme instead of Google's classic color palette. The bar features quick shortcuts for AI Mode, voice search, and Google Lens, while the separate AI Mode container has been removed. Google continues to experiment with the design, so further changes may appear in upcoming beta builds.