Google has made its Extension SDK available to the public. With it, versions of Android 11 and 12 should be able to use newer features that were exclusive to Android 13, like the OS’s new photo picker API. This is possible due to Google modularizing Android so things like media playback, Wi-Fi, permissions, and more can be updated individually. This gives Google more control over how features are updated.
Before you get too excited, however, it’s important to note that this feature is aimed at developers. So the average user may not see any benefit from Extension SDK being released to the public.
Additionally, the feature is also providing a stage for Google to test its Android Privacy Sandbox, which is expected to launch in beta this year. This Privacy Sandbox is Google’s in-development replacement for its current ad-tracking system. According to XDA Developers, this shows how Extension SDK can deliver new features without the need for a full system update.
