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Today Google has released the first beta build of Android Q, which you can install if you have a Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, or Pixel 3 XL.
The continued support for the original Pixel and Pixel XL comes as a bit of a surprise, as these devices are already past their promised support window for new features (which at the time was two years from release).
While it's unclear if this means they will also get the final build of Android Q, due out in the third quarter of 2019 (so July to September), such a move does seem pretty likely now - otherwise why go through the trouble of outing beta builds for them in the first place?
Interestingly, you can grab the first Android Q beta release through the Android Beta program - just enroll your device here and then you'll receive the build over-the-air. Up until now Google only allowed this mechanism starting with later betas, when things became more stable, and the first preview build was only installable manually, as it was aimed solely at developers.
Android Q Beta 1 is also primarily intended for developers to start testing their apps for the new release, but you can take a dive too if you don't mind things being unstable and buggy at times.
If history repeats itself, most of the consumer-facing features coming in Android Q should be unveiled at the Google I/O conference in May. That said, the first beta has some new stuff baked in already, such as a new permission management system for location - you now have three options, granting an app access all the time, only while it's in use, or never. This emulates iOS' model and should bring users more peace of mind.
The continued support for the original Pixel and Pixel XL comes as a bit of a surprise, as these devices are already past their promised support window for new features (which at the time was two years from release).
While it's unclear if this means they will also get the final build of Android Q, due out in the third quarter of 2019 (so July to September), such a move does seem pretty likely now - otherwise why go through the trouble of outing beta builds for them in the first place?
Interestingly, you can grab the first Android Q beta release through the Android Beta program - just enroll your device here and then you'll receive the build over-the-air. Up until now Google only allowed this mechanism starting with later betas, when things became more stable, and the first preview build was only installable manually, as it was aimed solely at developers.
Android Q Beta 1 is also primarily intended for developers to start testing their apps for the new release, but you can take a dive too if you don't mind things being unstable and buggy at times.
If history repeats itself, most of the consumer-facing features coming in Android Q should be unveiled at the Google I/O conference in May. That said, the first beta has some new stuff baked in already, such as a new permission management system for location - you now have three options, granting an app access all the time, only while it's in use, or never. This emulates iOS' model and should bring users more peace of mind.