The most noticeable UI change in Android 13 is the redesign of the lock screen media player and notification shade. However, not all music, podcast, and audio apps have been updated to support them yet, and here’s our playlist of the updated controls.
Android 13’s media controls start at a new size that’s taller than they did in Android 12. (There is a compressed version, but only in landscape mode.) This allows for a larger preview of the cover art, although it’s a rectangular crop rather than showing full square artwork, like before.
The responsible application icon appears in the upper left corner, while the device output adapter remains opposite it. The song/podcast name and artist next appear in the lines below.
In apps optimized for (or targeted) Android 13, the play/pause button (which switches from a circle to a rounded square, and vice versa, when tapped) appears on the right edge. It’s an exhilarating touch followed by the whimsical progress bar swaying to notice what you actually listened to.
Android 12 vs 13
Apps that haven’t been updated for Android 13 are still wobbling, but the bottom row is pretty full because every button is on one line. The progress bar is on the far left with up to five actions appearing. The most recent apps go next/back or forward/rewind, while the remaining actions are shown on the right.
As of the launch of Android 13 this week, very few great apps have been updated, but there are a few first-party clients where you can try out the new launcher.
Optimized for Android 13:
Apps that have not been updated:
- Recorder (Google Pixel): Playing text creates a system audio player, but most people only interact with the in-app controls/UI
- Google Play Books
- Apple Music
- spotify
- SoundCloud
- Tides
- Pandora
old vs new
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