Android 13 is coming. In fact, the first Developer Preview will be released next month. In preparation for it, several potential features are in the works, giving us a glimpse of what we can expect in the final release later this year. [easier QR code scanning (via Android Police), a Tap-to-Transfer media playback handoff (via Android Police), and a revamped media output picker (via Android Police). Here's a little more about these features.

All of these were provided by "trusted sources" in contact with Android Police. Keep in mind that all of these features are subject to change, evolve, or be removed as Google works on them. That is how software development works.

In this COVID-19 era, many restaurants have moved to online menus accessible via QR codes. They are turning what used to be cumbersome into something convenient.

On most cell phones, you launch a camera app and point it at the QR code. Tapping on the QR code usually prompts you to navigate to the location indicated by the QR code, and from the screenshots in the Android Police article, it appears that Google wants to improve this.

The first screenshot above shows an option to "Allow access to the QR scanner from the lock screen." I'm not sure how this would actually work, but it's pretty straightforward; it could be some sort of shortcut to QR scanner mode, or it could be something more seamless.

On a similar note, the second screenshot shows the QR Scanner shortcut tile in Quick Settings. This opens a view of the QR scanner mode in the camera app and may provide a quick and painless way to scan codes. It is still too early to judge.

With an iPhone and HomePod mini, you can pass the media playing on your phone to the speaker by tapping your phone on the speaker. This is a great way to pass music to speakers in another room when moving between rooms.

According to information provided to Android Police, Android 13 may be able to do the same thing. Currently called "Media TTT" ("TTT" stands for "Tap-to-Transfer"), this feature allows phones to hand off media playback to other devices.

How this works is still unclear to Android Police, and it is possible that Google is not fully aware of it yet. It is unclear whether the sending device communicates the handoff via NFC, UWB, or something else.

However, the screenshots obtained by Android Police show the chip notification at the top; the first shows it approaching the target device, and the second shows that media is playing on the target device.

If this works like Apple's, it could mean being able to pass music to a Chromecast or Nest speaker. However, since we don't know the means of communication, Media TTT may require dedicated hardware. I would not upgrade all my Google Home/Nest speakers just for this feature.

The last piece of Android 13 information obtained by Android Police is not as exciting. Briefly, it appears that Google is testing a redesign of the media output picker. This is the menu that appears when you tap the output text in the media playback notification. This is the part that tells you if media is playing on the phone's speaker, Bluetooth earpiece, Chromecast device, etc.

The first screenshot shows the output picker based on the playback notification, with a rounded volume bar and the output device (in this case "not Airpods") visible. However, if you pay attention, the option to show the picker in the first place is missing from the notification shade.

According to Android Police sources, the button to display the picker is still there before the menu appears. Whether this disappearance is a bug or a design change is still unclear. You can also call up the output picker from the sound settings just below the main media volume control.

Android 13 is many months away, and we may not see the first beta until Google I/O in May. However, if Android 12L hasn't ruined the development release cycle, we may get the first Developer Preview next month in February.

While all three of these are minor features, it is good to see that Google is at least considering improving some of the UI and UX elements of Android 13. These new features will be announced at I/O and in the Developer Preview.

Android 13 news will be updated as needed.