Android 17 beta 2 adds bubbles UI, handoff API, color eyedropper, contacts picker and more

Google has released the second beta of Android 17, building on its momentum from the first beta earlier this year. One of the most visible changes is the introduction of bubbles, a new windowing mode that allows users to create floating app interfaces by long-pressing an app icon on the launcher. For users with large screens or foldables, a bubble bar appears on the taskbar, giving them the ability to organize bubbles and move them between anchored points for improved multitasking.

Addressing developer needs, Android 17 beta 2 debuts a system-level EyeDropper API. This feature lets applications select colors from any pixel on the display without requiring screen capture permissions, balancing utility with privacy. The update also adds a privacy-focused contacts picker. By invoking ACTION_PICK_CONTACTS, users can grant session-based read access to only selected data fields, reducing the need for broad READ_CONTACTS permission. The feature covers both personal and work profiles, offering better data control.

These enhancements are complemented by the new Handoff API, which enables seamless application state transfer across Android devices, so users can pick up tasks on tablets or other devices with minimal disruption. Additional improvements include easier pointer capture for touchpads, two new advanced ranging APIs, granular Local Network Access permissions, improved time zone handling, Neural Processing Unit management, expanded SMS and OTP protections, and up-to-date ICU & Unicode support.